HICKORY, N.C. — Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in a barricaded standoff in the parking lot of a Hickory Food Lion Monday afternoon.
“It’s crazy,” said Food Lion customer Melody Pack. “You don’t usually see this around this part. From what I just heard, they’ve locked down the store, too. They’re letting people out but not in.”
The standoff lasted more than two hours in Springs Crossing.
The U.S. Marshals Service, police, and sheriff deputies were talking to someone barricaded in a car around noon.
Officials told Channel 9’s Dave Faherty the man inside the car, Lee Roy Lail, 37, of Conover, was wanted on several outstanding felony warrants, including being a registered sex offender.
The man refused to leave the vehicle. Just before 1 p.m., SWAT crews pulled the doors off the car and apprehended Lail.
“Mr. Lail refused repeated instructions and demands from law enforcement to get out of his vehicle,” said Maj. Aaron Turk, Catawba County Sheriff’s Office.
Lail was transported to an area hospital for medical evaluation.
The warrants for Lail were for habitual felon, felony possession of Schedule II, felony possession of stolen motor vehicle, felony larceny, felony attempted larceny, felony breaking and entering, two counts of felony failure to register as a sex offender, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor injury to real property, and misdemeanor first-degree trespassing.
This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.
VIDEO: Road reopens after tear gas deployed, ends SWAT standoff
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