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Man arrested in New Castle after claiming there was a “siege” coming, shooting building alarm system

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Police arrested an Ohio man in New Castle on Saturday after officers said he walked into the fire department, bashed a door with an ax, claimed there was a “siege” coming and was seen on camera shooting another building’s alarm system.

According to officers, at around 7:15 a.m. Saturday, a thin, Hispanic man walked into the New Castle Fire Department and was caught on surveillance video picking up an ax and hitting a door. One of the city firemen was woken up, and the man said there was a siege coming. Investigators said the man displayed a handgun in a holster before he could be escorted out of the building.

Less than an hour later, police were called to the Lawrence County Community Action Partnership building on Grant Avenue where the security alarm was going off. Investigators learned the same man seen at the fire department had entered the LCCAP building after shooting his handgun at the alarm system.

While officers were on scene there, another call came in for the same man trying to get into the McGonigle Ambulance station. Shortly after 10 a.m., officers were able to find the man believed to be involved in a vehicle outside an apartment complex.

New Castle police said the man, Krishna James, 36, from Hubbard, Ohio, refused to comply with officer commands. They eventually shot James twice with 40mm less-lethal sponge rounds to force him under control.

James was charged with two counts of burglary, criminal trespass and other charges. He was taken to the hospital and then to the Lawrence County Jail on a $100,000 bond.