Standoff with Police Ends in Arrest

    A five hour standoff with police ended in the arrest of Wayne L. Stroupe, 57, of 314 Lakewood Road in Cramerton.  Cramerton Police responded to Stroupe’s home shortly after 4 P.M. on Saturday in an attempt to serve warrants on Stroupe.  Stroupe’s wife had obtained the warrants earlier on Saturday afternoon accusing Stroupe of Assault on a Female and Communicating Threats. 

     Upon arrival police were informed by Mrs. Stroupe that her husband was armed with an AK-47 Assault Rifle and a handgun.  Police were also informed that Wayne Stroupe had locked himself in a bedroom inside the couple’s residence.  Police entered the Stroupe residence and attempted a dialogue with Wayne Stroupe who refused to communicate with the officers.

     Cramerton Police Chief Greg Ratchford stated that due to the information that officers possessed concerning the availability of weapons to Stroupe and the fact that he had retreated to a bedroom caused officers to back out of the residence, ensure the safety of the complainant, and surround the residence.  Immediate attempts to contact Stroupe inside the residence were unsuccessful, Ratchford said.

     Officers from Cramerton, Lowell and McAdenville immediately surrounded the Stroupe residence and shut down traffic on Lakewood Road in both directions.  With arrival of additional officers from Gaston County Police, Gaston County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina Highway Patrol a perimeter was established and neighbors on Lakewood Road were advised of the situation.

     Special Operations Response Team members from the Cramerton Police Department were activated and assisted in maintaining a perimeter around the residence.  “We have a specialized team that is highly trained in dealing with these types of situations.  Unfortunately, the team is only a couple of years old and it takes time to acquire all of the technical equipment to completely handle an incident of this magnitude.  In addition due to the size of our department we are limited in the amount of manpower that we have available.  We requested the Gaston County Police Emergency Response Team to assist.”  Ratchford said.  “You have to know your agency’s limitations and when to call for additional assistance.”

     After repeated, unsuccessful attempts to make contact with Stroupe negotiators were able to establish communications with him.  Stroupe agreed to surrender to officers and came out of the house peacefully.  Stroupe was charged with resisting arrest in addition to the assault on a female and communicating threats charges.  Stroupe was held Saturday night in the Gaston County Jail without bond.