Executive Summary
- Crestline Police responded to a welfare check on West Thrush Avenue where a subject claimed to have a firearm.
- The situation escalated into a standoff involving the Crawford County Special Response Team.
- The subject was taken into custody safely and transported for medical evaluation.
- The case has been referred to the Crawford County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
CRESTLINE, Ohio – Law enforcement officers from the Crestline Police Department and the Crawford County Special Response Team successfully resolved a standoff situation on Thursday evening stemming from a reported mental health crisis involving a potentially armed individual.
According to a statement released by the Village of Crestline, officers responded to a welfare check at a residence on the 601 block of West Thrush Avenue at approximately 7:39 p.m. Upon arrival, responding officers engaged with a female subject who stated she was in possession of a firearm. Adhering to safety protocols, officers withdrew from the immediate residence to de-escalate the risk to all parties involved.
Authorities report that the situation intensified as the subject allegedly made threats toward law enforcement personnel. Following unsuccessful attempts to communicate with the individual, the Crawford County Special Response Team was deployed to the scene. Through coordinated tactical efforts, the standoff was resolved without further incident. The individual was taken into custody and subsequently transported to a medical facility for professional evaluation.
A comprehensive report of the incident is being submitted to the Crawford County Prosecutor’s Office for review regarding potential criminal charges. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Operational Response and Public Safety
This incident underscores the complex operational challenges law enforcement faces when managing volatile situations that intersect with mental health crises. The activation of the Special Response Team and the involvement of multiple mutual aid agencies—including the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and police departments from Bucyrus, Galion, and New Washington—reflects a strategy prioritizing containment and specialized negotiation over immediate force. The pending review by the Prosecutor’s Office will determine if the alleged threats and weapon possession warrant criminal prosecution alongside the necessary medical intervention.
