A suspect already under scrutiny for a weekend fire was taken into custody Monday after a more than hour-long standoff.
RICHLAND HILLS, Texas — A 53-year-old man was arrested Monday afternoon following a more than hour-long armed standoff with police at a Richland Hills home that had already been sealed off as evidence in a weekend arson investigation, officials said.
Officers were called at approximately 4:34 p.m. to the 2800 block of Dogwood Park Drive after reports of a criminal trespass violation. The home had restricted access because of an ongoing arson investigation into a fire that occurred Saturday, according to the Richland Hills Police Department.
The suspect, identified as William Chauncy, was reportedly armed when officers arrived and had pointed a gun out of a window of the small blue house he rented, police said. Officers established a perimeter and began negotiations before Chauncy exited the residence. A less-lethal device was used during the arrest.
“It definitely appeared to be a dangerous situation,” said Sheena McEachran, Public Information Officer, Richland Hills Police Dept.
Chauncy was medically cleared at the scene by paramedics and transported to the Joint Detention Center in North Richland Hills. The Haltom City Police Department assisted Richland Hills officers during the incident.
Neighbors described a chaotic scene as police and SWAT units converged on the residential street from multiple directions. Jessica Tennison, whose family has lived next door for 25 years, said she watched officers surround the block and heard officers repeatedly order Chauncy to drop his weapon. She said he moved in and out of the house, at one point appearing in the street and then in the front yard — seemingly taunting police before eventually complying after the less-lethal round was fired.
The standoff is connected to a suspected arson at the same property over the weekend. Neighbors reported seeing smoke coming from the roof Saturday before watching the occupant flee before firefighters’ arrival. The home has since been red-tagged — condemned and barred from entry — by authorities.
Tennison said she believes she knows what prompted the fire. She said Chauncy had received an eviction notice on May 2, information she said was relayed to by Chauncy on May 2nd. The property, she added, had been a source of ongoing concern for residents in the area.
“We don’t know who she’s going to rent out to next. It could be someone worse than him. That’s scary,” said Jessica Tennison, neighbor
The Tarrant County Fire Marshal’s Office is leading the arson investigation.
In addition to the criminal trespass charge, Chauncy faces charges of deadly conduct and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Police also confirmed Monday that Chauncy was on parole at the time of the standoff, adding a parole violation to the list of legal jeopardy he faces.