GASTONIA, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Authorities serving warrants in northeast Gastonia Wednesday afternoon forced a church to cancel evening activities.
According to Gastonia Police, the incident began around noon on the 2100 block of Auten Road near Acapulco Drive; the street was barricaded just beyond Grace Baptist Church.
Officials said the suspect, 41-year-old Steven Blair Drumm, barricaded himself after negotiators tried to get him to surrender. The man stopped communicating, and that’s when tactical deployed, which led to his surrender around 7 p.m.
Police said Drumm has been charged with first-degree burglary, robbery with a dangerous weapon, larceny after a break-in and possession of a firearm. No one was injured during the situation.
The church said on Facebook that all Wednesday night services are canceled.
“Thank God no one was injured!” the church wrote. “Thank you for the prayers.”
Drumm also was arrested in February for assault with a deadly weapon and injury to personal property.
