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2 people arrested after hours-long standoff in Palm Coast

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Two men were arrested in Flagler County after an hours-long standoff that forced neighbors to evacuate or seek safety. Robert Detherow, 55, faces charges including assault on a police officer, resisting without violence and exposure of genitals after the nearly eight-hour incident. Police believe some of Detherow’s anger Wednesday stemmed from his son’s arrest after a stabbing in March. “I thought they weren’t going to carry him out like they did, and he was yelling and stuff. I thought they were going to carry him out in a sack,” Larry Torino said of the incident involving his neighbor on Wednesday. In the early hours of the nearly eight-hour ordeal, Torino tried to intervene as he passed by. “I said, ‘Robert, I’m not telling you anything, I’m begging you. And I’m begging you to calm down. Stay calm. He replied, ‘Brother, today is Judgement Day,'” Torino said. The sheriff’s office said it was called to Forsythe Lane in Palm Coast because people lived there who were playing music all night and blocking the street with tables, chairs and other items. They were told the house belonged to the parents of a man who was arrested in March after a stabbing over a religious debate. When police arrived, they encountered the man’s father, Robert. “He was behaving inappropriately. He was exposing himself,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. And after officers called for backup, “in the meantime, this individual started throwing bottles at her, which is aggravated assault on a police officer,” Staly said. Staly described Robert Detherow as a “religious fanatic” and said he recently posted disturbing videos on social media. “He’s obviously escalated his conspiracy and gotten out of control, and America is dying,” Staly said of the videos. “He wanted me arrested, I believe for treason or something, and it was all about his son’s arrest.” During the hours-long standoff, Robert Detherow refused to speak to the behavioral response unit, crisis negotiators or sheriff’s deputies, according to the sheriff. At least once, Detherow came out of the house and was hit by a rubber bullet, but went back inside. Eventually, the sheriff said, they used a device to remove the garage door and front door. They were able to send a robot that allowed them to look inside. They were able to see Detherow and another man, later identified as 23-year-old Kaleb Smith. Smith came out of the house and was hit by a rubber bullet when he didn’t comply, according to the sheriff’s office. He was arrested for resisting an officer without violence. It wasn’t long before Detherow finally gave up. “Not peacefully, but he gave up,” Staly said. The sheriff’s office said Detherow faces additional charges because he continued to threaten the deputy who arrested him and the deputy who transported him.

PALM COAST, Florida —

Two men were arrested in Flagler County after an hours-long standoff that forced neighbors to leave the county or shelter in place.

Following the nearly eight-hour incident, 55-year-old Robert Detherow is accused of, among other things, assault on a police officer, resistance without the use of violence and exposure of genitals.

Law enforcement officials believe part of Detherow’s anger on Wednesday stems from his son’s arrest following a stabbing in March.

“I thought they weren’t going to carry him out like they did, and he’s yelling and stuff. I thought they were going to carry him out in a sack,” Larry Torino said of the incident with his neighbor on Wednesday.

Torino says he tried to intervene in passing during the first few hours of the nearly eight-hour ordeal.

“I said: Robert, I’m not telling you anything, I’m asking you. And I ask you to calm down. Just stay calm. He replied: Brother, today is Judgement Day,” Torino said.

The sheriff’s office said it was called to Forsythe Lane in Palm Coast because residents were playing music all night and blocking the street with tables, chairs and other items.

They were told that the house belonged to the parents of a man who was arrested in March after a stabbing in connection with a religious debate.

When police arrived, they met the man’s father, Robert.

“He behaved inappropriately. He exposed himself,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly.

And after the MPs called for reinforcements,

“In the meantime, this individual began throwing bottles at her, which amounts to serious assault on a police officer,” Staly said.

Staly described Robert Detherow as a “religious fanatic” and said he had recently posted disturbing videos on social media.

“He obviously escalated things and let the conspiracy get out of control, and America was dying,” Staly said of the videos. “He wanted me arrested, I think for treason or something, and it was all about the arrest of his son.”

During the hours-long standoff, Robert Detherow refused to speak with the behavioral response unit, crisis negotiators or sheriff’s deputies, according to the sheriff.

At least once, Detherow came out of the house and was hit by a rubber bullet, but went back inside.

The sheriff says they eventually used a device to remove the garage door and front door. They were able to send a robot to take a look inside.

They were able to see Detherow and another man, later identified as 23-year-old Kaleb Smith. Smith came out of the house and was hit by a rubber bullet when he disobeyed, according to the sheriff’s office. He was arrested for resisting an officer without the use of force.

It didn’t take long for Detherow to finally give up.

“Not peacefully, but he gave up,” Staly said.

The sheriff’s office said additional charges would be filed against Detherow because he continued to threaten the deputy who arrested him and the deputy who transported him.

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