Man Tasered After Armed Standoff at Coral Bookies in Jarrow
A tense armed standoff at Coral bookmakers in Jarrow ended with the suspect being tasered and arrested, police confirmed.
Hostages Held as Armed Man Barricades Himself Inside
The drama unfolded on Sunday evening when a man, believed to be armed, locked himself inside the Coral shop on Grange Road. He covered the windows with newspapers to block view from outside as police scrambled to the scene shortly before 6pm.
Steve Dixon, who lives nearby, described the eerie situation. “Just after 6pm I heard shouting, which is unusual for here – it’s usually very quiet. Then about ten minutes later, four police cars pulled up outside the bookies. All the windows were papered over, but the lights were on inside,” he said.
Three Hostages Released, Police Negotiations Ongoing
As the standoff dragged on, three hostages were released:
- A young staff member wearing a uniform and badge was freed around 7pm.
- An older man in a black coat was released shortly after 7.45pm.
- A man in his sixties wearing a grey anorak was let go at 8.45pm after being ordered to lie on the floor.
Steve added, “The suspect is well built, in a black vest, and kept coming to the door. Police were shouting, ‘Come to the door’ and ‘Give yourself up.’ It’s not what you expect on a quiet Sunday afternoon.”
Police Bring Standoff to a Close
Specialist firearms officers and negotiators worked throughout the evening to resolve the standoff peacefully. A police cordon and road closures were set up as a precaution.
Police said: “At 5:46pm on Sunday, we received a report of a man in possession of what is believed to be a firearm inside the Coral bookmakers on Grange Road. Three people inside have left unharmed. Negotiators are working to get anyone still inside out safely.”
Later, authorities confirmed the standoff ended when officers tasered the suspect and took him into custody. There is no threat to the wider public and police urge everyone to avoid the area as the incident wraps up.
Residents, including Mr Dixon, hope for a peaceful conclusion after witnessing the dramatic hours-long siege.
