ROBOCOPS OF THE WEEK: SIEGE BREAKER
by Hazed
Police forces are starting to use robocops more and more in siege situations – where some loon has barricaded himself into a house full of weapons. Human officers are understandably worried about storming such situations, since they could get shot, so sending in a tin cop to deal with the miscreant seems like a good idea.
The latest story of a policedroid successfully ending a tense armed standoff comes from the town of Greeley, Colorado, where a pair of metal copbots stormed a house in which an armed man, who was very probably high on drugs, had barricaded himself.
Jacob Powell had earlier been let out of jail after being arrested on suspicion of stealing his parents’ car. He returned to the family home, which was empty, because his parents had gone on a trip (thinking he was still locked up).
Police wanted to re-arrest him but he hid in the house, armed himself with a high-powered rifle and refused to come out. Police were pretty sure he was high on drugs which added to the problem.
The siege lasted several days, during which time police tried various attempts to negotiate with Powell by loudhailer and by throwing mobile phones in through the windows. Just for a bit of variety, they also tried volleys of tear gas and stun grenades, but none of this worked – Powell refused to budge.
Finally, a pair of police robots were sent in, and they were able to flush Powell out of his hidey-hole.
Captain Mike Savage said, “We knew he was moving inside the home, but it was the robot team that was eventually able to give us a visual. He (Powell) probably figured it was futile to continue trying to hide inside the home and he finally complied with our commands to give himself up.”
Once the tin cops had done their stuff, human officers entered the property and arrested Powell, during which he was shot in the leg. He’s now in jail charged with felony fugitive from justice.
The siege proved a costly operation – there were up to 30 police officers, as well as the robots, involved, and large amounts of gas and concussion grenades were used. The house was also trashed pretty comprehensively, so when Powell’s parents return home they aren’t going to be happy.
Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/06/22/robot_cop_duo_storm_colorado_house_end_fourday_siege/
