Tear gas used to force suspect from home

Jeremiah Gerky, 24, was arrested yesterday after threatening to kill his neighbor and barricading himself in his home.

Around 2:25 yesterday Banning Policereceiveda call about a man with a knife threatening to kill his neighbor. When police arrived Gerky had gone into his home on 41st Street. Officers requested he come outside. Gerky refused, deciding to taunt the officers and yell at them to bring their “SWAT” team.

Initially, it was thought there might be another person in the home, but this was later proven incorrect.

While police continued to demand he come outside, Gerkey began throwing mirrors, glass, and other items both inside and outside his home.

Based on his violent behavior, Banning police decided to call for tactical backup and a perimeter was put in place around the home.

Despite thetactical unit’sattempts to talk to Gerky out over a loud speaker and calls to his cell phone, the man still refused to give himself up.

After an extensive period of time, the unit fired a single canister of tear gas through a window in the home. Moments later, Gerky appeared in the front door and surrendered to police with his hands raised.

No injuries were reported.Gerky was arrested and booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.