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EAGLE MOUNTAIN — A SWAT team entered an hourslong standoff with a man in Eagle Mountain on Saturday after his former landlord called to complain the man refused to leave the premises.
Eon McNiell, 33, was eventually arrested on suspicion of criminal trespass, interference with an arresting officer, threat of violence, and possession of stolen vehicle.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, Utah County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to 2078 E Frontier St. around 8:08 p.m. The complainant said McNiell had entered his residence through a basement window and then refused to leave, locking himself in a room in the basement.
McNiell had been evicted about a week prior for failing to make rent.
Deputies made contact with McNiell, giving instructions for how to exit the room in which he'd locked himself and negotiating to end the situation. Officers spoke to McNiell from the main floor while he was in the basement; eventually a police dog arrived from Saratoga Springs and officers told McNiell they'd have to deploy the dog if McNiell didn't come out.
McNiell "retreated into a bedroom and locked the door" and told deputies they'd have "to come in and get him."
"Eon made threats regarding using firearms and stabbing officers and Deputies," the affidavit says.
After several hours with no success, officers threw "gas projectiles" into the room. The affidavit says McNiell continued to resist as SWAT officers finally got to him and put him in handcuffs.
When officers first arrived, the landlord's son told police that McNiell had stolen a vehicle from him. Police then found that vehicle two houses away.
The affidavit says McNiell will be charged in relation to the stolen vehicle because he repeatedly made comments about the car, later at the Utah County Jail, while officers were discussing the vehicle to each other. He assured officers the vehicle was not damaged, that nothing had been taken from it and that none of his property was inside.
