Apr 17, 2018 2 min read

A Tennessee man was arrested Friday night by North Strabane Township police after he allegedly forced his way into his sister’s home on Linden Creek Road, made the family leave and then locked himself inside the residence.

Anthony Matthew Stankas, 45, of Columbia, is charged with criminal trespass, receiving stolen property, resisting arrest and terroristic threats.

Police were called to the home about 9:25 p.m. for a domestic dispute between a brother and sister. When police arrived, they found the woman outside the home with her husband and two children.

The alleged victim said her brother, whom she had not seen for about three years, entered the home and ordered everyone out. The woman told police she and her husband told Stankas he was not permitted at the house, but he allegedly refused to leave and said he would kill them.

Police were able to persuade him to come outside, but after speaking with police, Stankas reportedly went back inside and locked the doors. Canonsburg police were called to assist with entering and surrounding the home.

Several officers entered the home from the basement. They could hear Stankas inside, but when they tried to open the door to the kitchen, it was locked. An officer forced it open.

Stankas allegedly ran outside, but when he saw police officers, he went back inside the house, where he was taken into custody. Police said he would not comply with orders and continued to resist before he was taken into custody.

Police determined the van he had been driving had been reported stolen in Vancouver, Wash.

Stankas was arraigned before District Judge Gary Havelka and placed in Washington County jail on $10,000 bond. He is scheduled for an April 24 hearing before District Judge Jay Weller.