BERYL, Utah (ABC4) — A man is in custody after he reportedly threatened his landlord with a handgun and barricaded himself in his motorhome after being evicted on Sunday, Jan. 5, according to officials.
John Gorecki, 65, was arrested and booked for several charges, including aggravated assault, threatening violence, and possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person.
According to a press release from the Iron County Sheriff’s Office, Gorecki lived in a motorhome on the property of a man who called the police about the alleged threats. The caller said Gorecki owed $100 per month to rent the space, located in Beryl, Utah.
On Sunday afternoon, after 5 p.m., Gorecki encountered the landlord, and Gorecki “appeared disoriented,” according to the sheriff’s office. The suspect reportedly accused the landlord of stealing Alka-Seltzer and called him a thief, and the landlord denied those claims.
“The property owner, expressing frustration over the accusations, informed Gorecki that he wished him to vacate the premises, officially evicting him,” the sheriff’s office said.
After being asked to vacate the property, Gorecki allegedly pulled a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at the landlord to threaten him and his girlfriend. Officials said the landlord feared for his life and asked his girlfriend to leave with him, but she declined to vacate with him.
When deputies arrived at the scene, they surrounded Gorecki’s motorhome and commanded him to exit for about two hours, but got no response from Gorecki. The Iron Metro SWAT team was deployed to the scene because of Gorecki’s threats and the presence of a firearm.
After breaching the front door and eventually breaking several windows, officials used CS gas and struck Gorecki in the arm with a non-lethal projectile. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation after he exited the trailer and was taken into custody.
Gorecki was transported from the Cedar City Hospital to the Iron County Correctional Facility on the aforementioned charges, in addition to the charges of interfering with a peace officer and failure to obey an officer.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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