According to court papers filed by the Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville, officers were dispatched around 11:20 p.m. Saturday to a residence at 501 Washington Street for a report of a disturbance.
When officers arrived, they spoke with the resident of the home and a male friend who were inside at the time of the incident. The two men told police they heard the basement door being forced open.
The friend reportedly told officers that he witnessed the resident’s wife, Alysha Hartshorn, 39, of Tamaqua, kick in the basement door and enter the home.
Police say Hartshorn then went to a rifle case inside the residence and allegedly removed two rifles and a box of ammunition, taking them to a bedroom on the second floor of the home.
Hartshorn’s husband and his friend fled the residence and contacted police.
Officers attempted to negotiate with Hartshorn to exit the home, but police say she refused and barricaded herself inside the upstairs bedroom while armed with the rifles.
Due to the escalating situation, Tamaqua Police requested assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police, who activated their Special Emergency Response Team (SERT).
The standoff continued for a little more than four hours before Hartshorn was taken into custody at approximately 3:55 a.m. Sunday.
Hartshorn was charged with:
- Criminal Trespass – Breaking into a Structure (Felony 2)
- Intimidation of a Witness or Victim to Withhold Testimony (Felony 3)
- Two counts of Simple Assault (Misdemeanor 2)