On February 23, 2019, at approximately 6:55 p.m., state
police responded to a residence on Welty Road in the town of Lindley to arrest
a subject who was involved in a domestic incident. State Police gathered information that the
suspect, Michael Sawyer, 39, was inside the residence and refused to surrender
to police. The State Police crisis negotiators, Specialized Operations Response
Team, investigators and troopers established a perimeter and attempted to make
contract with Sawyer.
After several hours, Sawyer surrendered without incident and
was arrested and charged with Kidnapping 1st Degree, Assault 2nd Degree,
Strangulation 2nd Degree and Criminal Contempt.
The State Police CCSERT, Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency
Response Team, responded due to an active lab that was discovered at the
residence. The investigation is continuing at this time.
