CLINTON TWP — A Mount Vernon man surrendered after a three-hour standoff with law enforcement at the Harcourt Motel on Thursday.
Travis Ratcliff, 43, of Mount Vernon, surrendered and was taken into custody after the deployment of “less lethal munitions, similar to pepper spray,” according to a press release from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO).
At approximately 2:22 p.m. KCSO deputies responded to Harcourt Motel after receiving information that someone with an active warrant was possibly staying in one of the rooms, according to a KCSO press release.
According to the release, when deputies made initial contact with the suspect, he made threats to use force against the officers and they heard what sounded like the suspect loading a firearm. Deputies backed away and were able to establish phone contact.
Ratcliff has a warrant from the Adult Parole Authority and pending charges for aggravating possession of drugs and aggravated trafficking of drugs.
Deputies transported Ratcliff to the Knox County Jail. The case remains under investigation.
The Mount Vernon Police and Fire Departments assisted at the scene