Man arrested on Dyrøya after four-day police operation with tear gas
A man who barricaded himself in a house in Dyrøy municipality was arrested in the early hours of Saturday following a four-day police operation. Tear gas and flashbangs were used to remove him from the building.
Police operation on Dyrøya concludes after four days: tear gas and flashbangs decisive
A man who barricaded himself in a house in Dyrøy municipality on Tuesday was arrested by police in the early hours of Saturday at half past two. This is reported by NRK Norge.
– We used tear gas and flashbangs to get the man out of the house. We succeeded in that, and he is now being cared for by health services, said Astrid Elisabeth Nilsen, police chief of Troms police district, on Saturday morning.
Nilsen reported that police had previously attempted to use tear gas without success during the operation, in addition to voluntary solutions. Apart from the fact that the man is under medical supervision, police do not wish to provide further information about him.
Shots fired – investigation ongoing
The operation began after police went to the residence to conduct a welfare check.
– At one point we observed that the man had a weapon, and shots were fired, said Nilsen.
Whether the shots were directed at police remains unclear for now.
– That will be revealed by the investigation, said the police chief.
On Wednesday evening, a helicopter ambulance was also present at the scene.
Relief in the local community
Dyrøy Mayor Marit Alvig Espenes describes the mood in the municipality on Saturday as marked by great relief.
– There are many people who are very glad and relieved today. Things are beginning to return to normal, said Espenes.
She praised the cooperation between the municipality, residents, police and others involved.
– Many have expressed gratitude for the way this was handled. And people are very glad that the resident in question is getting help and being cared for now, said the mayor.
Around 50 people isolated
Dyrøy municipality has approximately one thousand residents. During the four-day operation, several dozen people were isolated on the island by police cordons. After the arrest, the road cordons were removed.
– There are many who have not been able to do what they wanted, whether it was going to work or school. We also have tourists who got stuck, and farmers who had to wait for slaughter trucks. For each day that passed, people became increasingly worried and anxious, said Nilsen.
Around 50 people are no longer isolated, and those who were evacuated for security reasons can now return home. No one was injured during the operation.
Police apologise for the burden
The police chief acknowledges that the lengthy operation has been a great burden on the local community on Dyrøya.
– We regret that. But continuous assessments have been made about when it was right to move against the house. It has been important for us to maintain the safety of our personnel, the man in the house, and the local community, said Nilsen.
Police in Troms received assistance from colleagues in Agder, Nordland and Finnmark. The Civil Defence, health services, the fire service and Dyrøy municipality also assisted during the operation.
– To whom we extend our heartfelt thanks. It has been demanding, also for us, said the police chief.
Operations leader Robin Åsheim Lindberg wrote the following in the police log:
– The police wish to commend the public and local population who have stood firm through this. There is no doubt that the security operation has affected the local population, but it has at all times been conducted with regard to the safety and security of both our own personnel and residents of Dyrøya.
Tourists given extended stay
Daily manager at Dyrøy Holiday, Ragnar L. Erkendal, had four German tourists visiting when the operation was underway. Their holiday was involuntarily extended by two days.
– Had this happened in Oslo or Tromsø, I am almost certain the situation would have been resolved long ago, said Erkendal, who also expressed sympathy for the man in the house.
Source: NRK Norge