Police arrest Cecil Twp. man after surrounding his home
A Cecil Township man was arrested early Jan. 2 by township police after they surrounded his home because they believed he had a gun and had made threats against his girlfriend, her son and police.
Patrick Joseph Joyce, 49, of 14 Binotto St., Lawrence, was taken into custody by Cecil police with assistance from Peters Township police.
Cecil police were initially dispatched to the home just before 6 a.m. for a report of a man with a weapon. A woman who lived in the house, later identified as Kimberly Loebig, was able to get out of the residence. She went to a convenience store on Route 19 in Peters, where she called 911 for help.
She told police Joyce was threatening to kill her and her son, Matthew Heim. He also reportedly threatened to kill anyone else who went to the residence, including police. Joyce reportedly told Loebig he could have killed the police officer who had responded to a previous domestic disturbance at their home because he could have disarmed him.
Loebig told police she was sleeping when Joyce came home intoxicated and started arguing with her. He reportedly told her, “Go ahead and call someone. I’ll take out the cops, too.” He also threatened to kill her and her son.
Police called Joyce and he told them he come out onto the front porch. When police arrived, they set up a perimeter around the house. Joyce could be seen inside the house. He complied with police commands to come outside with his hands up, although he was reportedly not happy with how they were talking to him.
The Cecil police dog and Officer Jeff Holt also responded.
Joyce was arraigned before District Judge Curtis Thompson on charges of terroristic threats and harassment. He was released on $75,000 unsecured bond. He was ordered not to have contact with the alleged victims and was excluded from the residence. A preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 11 before District Judge Valarie Costanzo.