Late Monday night, a significant police operation unfolded on the 200 block of 5th Street in Blakely, involving multiple law enforcement agencies and culminating in the arrest of 28-year-old Joshua Timothy Seamans. The incident began around 10 p.m. when Seamans, who was reportedly intoxicated, was awakened by a family member who informed him that it was time to leave the residence.
According to police reports, Seamans became agitated and proceeded to retrieve a loaded revolver from the kitchen, threatening four family members in the process. While three of the family members successfully evacuated the home, his sister chose to stay behind.
In response to the escalating situation, police cordoned off the area and made repeated efforts to communicate with Seamans via loudspeaker, urging him to come out. After nearly two hours of attempts and with no response from Seamans, authorities called in the Lackawanna County SWAT team to assist in resolving the situation.
The tense standoff concluded when Seamans eventually surrendered, exiting his home peacefully. Fortunately, no shots were fired, and there were no reported injuries during the incident. Upon his arrest, law enforcement discovered the firearm concealed in Seamans’ waistband, fully loaded with six rounds.
Currently, Seamans is being held at the Lackawanna County Prison, with bail set at $20,000. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for December 1. The cooperative efforts of various police units ensured that the situation was resolved safely, preventing potential harm to family members and officers alike. This incident underscores the importance of prompt police response and community safety measures in critical situations.