Niagara County Sheriff’s deputies ripped the front door off a Falls home Friday afternoon while executing an arrest warrant in connection with a “terroristic threat” investigation.
Deputies said they went to the home of Jonathan W. Harding, 39, 2027 Lockport St., armed with a search warrant and an arrest warrant for charges of making a terroristic threat and second-degree aggravated harassment. When Harding refused to come out of his home, the Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team used an armored vehicle to take the front door off of his house.
Harding then surrendered to the deputies and was taken into custody.
Investigators said Harding’s threat was made on Thursday and directed to the Niagara County Treasurer’s Office in Lockport.
“The threat was violent in nature and caused a large amount of concern for the staff in that office,” Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti said. “These types of calls are illegal and they won’t be tolerated.”
A search of Harding’s home led to the seizure of more than 10 long guns, including rifles and shotguns. Filicetti said the seizures were authorized under a Temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order.
“With the threat of violence and that large number of weapons this was very concerning to law enforcement,” Filicetti said. “The potential for violence (during the execution of the warrants) was huge.”
During their search, deputies also removed 13 dogs from the home with assistance from the Niagara Falls police animal control officer. Falls police said animal cruelty charges are pending.
Deputies said Harding would be held at the City of Lockport jail pending his arraignment on the charges.