Police: Man Threatens Troopers, Tells Officials To Bring "Some Body Bags"
HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- A Westmoreland County man is behind bars following an argument and tense standoff with police after authorities say he allegedly threatened his wife, son and state troopers.
It was around 8:45 p.m. Monday when the problems started at 573 Arona Road in Hempfield Township.
"The state cops knocked at my door and said, 'You have to get out.' I said, 'What's happening?' They said Frank was giving them some problems," said Nancy Smith, a neighbor.
The suspect, 54-year-old Frank Esken, is accused of roughing up his wife and 14-year-old son inside their apartment. He was allegedly heavily intoxicated.
"He said something to the old man. He grabbed him she said by the neck, pulled his hair and was going to slug him," Smith said.
According to criminal complaint, Esken started to load a shotgun and the teen and the woman escaped to Smith's house next door.
Authorities say Esken allegedly told his terrified wife, "There's going to be some shooting."
He told negotiators, "If they [troopers] come in, I'll shoot them in the face."
Troopers quickly surrounded the buildings.
"They wouldn't let us look out the windows. They said keep away from all the windows," Smith said. "There were cops everywhere."
Esken allegedly kept threatening law enforcement telling negotiators, "I'll take some troopers with me. Bring the coroner and some body bags."
Police say 45 minutes after it began, Esken stumbled out of his apartment hands up. He now faces multiple counts of aggravated assault, simple assault and terroristic threats.
Esken remains in the Westmoreland County Jail on $100,000 bond.
Smith, who owns the building, says the mother and child are welcome to come back. But she's not so sure about Esken.
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