Cops: Standoff after argument over money

An East Rockaway man, arguing with his wife over family finances, barricaded himself and his family inside their home for several hours after a neighbor called police, police said.

After Scott Stroh, 44, and his wife returned from dinner Monday night, they began arguing over money, said Det. Lt. Kevin Smith.

Stroh is an unemployed stagehand, and his wife, who was not identified by police, does not work, police said.

The argument spilled out onto the front lawn of their Rhame Avenue home and a neighbor called police around 12:20 a.m., Smith said. The presence of responding officers angered Stroh, who "became loud and argumentative" as police talked to him at the front door, Smith said.

He tried to shut the front door on one police officer and retreated to the house, police said.

In the confrontation, Stroh broke a window on the front door and officers were afraid he was going for a weapon, so they sprayed Mace at Stroh through the front-door window, Smith said.

The officers then called for backup, including a hostage negotiation team. Investigators negotiated with Stroh by phone for six hours until his wife emerged from the house around 7 a.m., according to police.

Stroh ran out the back door with a baseball bat, which he threw at police officers stationed in his backyard, Smith said.

He was then subdued and taken to a hospital to determine if he is "fit for confinement" and arraignment, Smith said.

It was unclear if Stroh's wife and their seven children, ranging in age from infant to 15 years old, were being held against their will, police said.

Stroh has been charged with menacing, attempted assault, possession of a weapon and obstructing governmental administration.

He was on parole for a 2006 driving while intoxicated conviction, Smith said.

Responding officers said he appeared intoxicated Monday night, police said.

Stroh's wife declined medical treatment.

By SOPHIA CHANG
Posted Tuesday, March 17, 2009

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