Brentwood standoff ends without violence
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A Brentwood man who police said holed up in his home after assaulting his girlfriend on Sunday afternoon was arraigned Monday on charges of simple assault and obstruction.
Robert Salak, 54, also faces a summary harassment charge.
Brentwood police Chief Robert Butelli said Mr. Salak's live-in girlfriend, Susan Labarbera, called police at around 2:45 p.m. Sunday and told officers that Mr. Salak had struck her in the back and neck during an argument.
She said that Mr. Salak, distraught over losing his job and because she was leaving him, had threatened suicide and gone into the basement, where he reportedly had several guns.
Mr. Salak locked the doors and refused to come out when officers summoned him. Police retreated and established a perimeter, calling him over a loudspeaker. Mr. Salak eventually called 911 and told a call taker that he did not want to speak with Brentwood police because he had issues with them in the past.
Chief Butelli said officers have visited the home before for domestic disputes, but he's never been charged, according to online court records.
Eventually, Mr. Salak agreed to speak to a Whitehall police officer over the phone. The officer persuaded him to come out the front door, where police arrested him unarmed.
Chief Butelli said police found a hunting rifle in an open gun safe and a bow and arrow in the basement, but no other weapons.
First Published August 21, 2012 12:00 am
