1 in custody after Schererville police standoff

SCHERERVILLE, Ind. (WLS) -- One person is in custody after a police standoff in northwest Indiana Thursday, Schererville police said.

Police responded just after 11:15 a.m. to the area near Orchard Court and Springvale Drive for a report of a male suspect walking around screaming and stabbing garbage cans, police said.

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Tight-knit neighborhood residents said Thursday's hours-long standoff stemmed from incidents over the last couple of nights.

They said the suspect had previously been walking around the neighborhood yelling and slashing garbage cans.

Police initially responded Wednesday night just after 11 p.m., but did not find anything. So, they came back Thursday morning to knock on his door.

The suspect approached the door with a rifle pointed at an officer, police said.

The officer fired his gun several times, and the suspect went back inside.

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Police evacuated the surrounding homes, and the Northwest Regional SWAT Team responded.

After some negotiations, the suspect was taken into custody.

It was not clear if anyone was injured in the incident.

Chopper 7 was over the scene about 1:30 p.m.

There was a heavy police response and multiple SWAT vehicles in the area.

Police wearing tactical gear and carrying shields and long guns could be seen.

The suspect appeared to be handcuffed soon after.

Neighbors said it was a terrifying situation as they sheltered in place.

"There was a couple of hours of just nothing and then more police. I don't know numbers, but police from different communities came in: Schererville, Munster, etc. It was just overwhelming. I was scared," one resident said.

Residents said the suspect lives in the neighborhood, and moved in within the last year.

Police have not yet released his identity, and there's no further threat to the public.