Cops arrest gunman after Shenango Township standoff

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A gunman who held police at bay for several hours in Shenango Township late Tuesday is in Lawrence County Jail today on $50,000 bond.
James E. Clemens Jr., 23, of Boston Avenue, formerly of Portersville, was wanted by Pennsylvania State Police on felony warrants in connection with a burglary in Portersville on Thursday in which several firearms were stolen.
Police got a tip that Clemens was at a Willowhurst Circle residence in Shenango Township and went to that location around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to serve the warrants.
Police said that, as they arrived, Clemens came out of the residence brandishing a loaded .38 caliber handgun, threatening to shoot himself and holding several officers at bay.
Two people who live at the residence were inside the home at the time but were not taken hostage by Clemens, police said.
Police said they talked to Clemens for several hours, finally convincing him not to commit suicide. He surrendered peacefully at 9 p.m.
Police said the .38 caliber handgun turned out to be stolen.
Clemens was arraigned before District Justice J.V. Lamb on charges of recklessly endangering another person, carrying a firearm without a license, receiving stolen property and disorderly conduct as well as the felony warrants from the Portersville burglary.