New Smyrna Beach, FL - A man's erratic behavior frightened bank employees on Friday in New Smyrna Beach. Mental health issues were suspected.
According to the New Smyrna Beach Police Department (NSBPD), on Friday, April 21, at 5:08 PM, officers responded to a bank at 1880 S.R. 44 in reference to a man who entered the business stating he was being followed by people who wanted to kill him.
The NSBPD reports that the man, 44, from Oak Hill, asked the employees to call the police to help him. While inside waiting for the police to arrive, the man began acting erratically, making statements that he would pray for everyone in the business and God would forgive him. The employees were able to lock themselves away from the man in another room.
The man removed his shoe and claimed it had an explosive device. Officers made verbal contact with the man who refused to open the doors of the business or follow any other commands.
After multiple failed attempts to have the subject come out of the business, officers went inside where the man immediately complied with commands and was taken into custody without incident.
After speaking with all parties involved, it appeared the man was suffering from a mental health issue. He was taken into protective custody under Baker Act Criteria and was transported to the Halifax Medical Center for mental evaluation.
A section of S.R. 44 was shut down during the incident, but was reopened following.
Photo courtesy of Andrii Koniuk and Shutterstock.com.
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.
