Dec 7, 2015 2 min read

South Fayette Township police had to call the Allegheny County SWAT team to a home on Granite Drive in McDonald Sunday evening in response to a standoff that lasted for several hours.

According to police reports, Mark Edward Armstrong, 47, who had been residing at 1063 Granite Drive, got into an argument with his girlfriend. She left the home and went to her mother’s house. Armstrong, who police said was intoxicated, allegedly followed her and attempted to persuade her to return to their home. She refused.

Armstrong then returned to their home, gaining access by driving his vehicle through the garage door of the red brick home, said South Fayette police Chief John Phoennick.

“She (the girlfriend) told us he was intoxicated and had a gun,” Phoennick said.

Police then – via loudspeaker – attempted for roughly 45 minutes to lure Armstrong out of the house. When talking failed, police called SWAT for assistance. The team used a flash bang, entered the home and took Armstrong into custody.

Armstrong was charged with harassment, criminal mischief and simple assault, police said.

Armstrong was arraigned and released under the condtion that he has no contact with his girlfriend. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for 1 p.m. Dec. 21 before District Judge Maureen McGraw-Desmet.