Tense standoff in Harbor home

A six-hour standoff with police ended without injury this Monday in Baldwin. But a host of weapons and explosives charges have been filed against the suspect, Richard Erickson, 43, of 3397 Bayfront Drive in Baldwin.

According to First Precinct detectives, reports of a “house fire with an explosion” in the area of 3392 and 3397 Bayfront Drive brought police to the area around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18. Arriving on the scene, neighbors told police that they believed a series of fireworks were being detonated around the houses, one of which is vacant, and the officers investigated, discovering three large bins containing PVC tubes near the abandoned house.

When the officers approached 3397 Bayfront drive, the suspect, Richard Erickson, began yelling from within the home. Police say Erickson “came out of the house in a fit of rage, screaming at officers in an incoherent manner.” Then he ran back inside and refused to exit. Police also say Erickson threatened to shoot them if they breeched the door.

A police report released yesterday explains that the Nassau County Police Department Emergency Services Unit, Bureau of Special Operations and the Hostage Negotiation Team responded to Bayfront drive and eventually convinced Erickson to surrender himself around 4:30 a.m.

Police obtained a search warrant for the home and its garage and discovered an a unloaded compact 9mm handgun, a switchblade, a highpoint 9mm model C9, a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver, a Lorcin .380 semi-automatic handgun and several magazines and ammunition.

Erickson was charged with 10 counts of criminal possession of a weapon, menacing, obstructing governmental administration, explosive storage and explosives, licenses and certificates. He was arraigned on Aug. 20 at first district court, Hempstead.