Dover resident arrestedafter New Year’s Day standoff

DOVER PLAINS — On Wednesday, Jan. 1, Richard P. Danko was arrested in the Town of Dover following an hours-long standoff with law enforcement after a complaint was lodged against him for allegedly threatening another party with a shotgun.

At approximately 6:10 a.m., deputies arrived at 16 Old State Route 22 in Dover Plains to investigate the report and Danko was subsequently identified as the suspect in the case. But when addressed by authorities, Danko refused to cooperate and fled into a home. Over the next five hours, members of multiple law enforcement units unsuccessfully attempted to convince Danko to surrender. Finally, authorities gained access to the premises and the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office’s Emergency Services Unit took him into custody without further incident.

Following his arrest, Danko was charged with third degree criminal possession of a weapon, a felony, and three second degree misdemeanors including criminal contempt, menacing and resisting arrest as well as bail jumping, also a misdemeanor. Unrelated to this incident, Danko was also sought on a warrant for reckless endangerment. He was charged in connection with both the preexisting warrant and this most recent incident. Danko was arraigned at the Town of Dover Court, and was remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center where he remains in lieu of $10,000 cash bail.

When reached for comment, Captain John Watterson at the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the incident is still under investigation and no motive has yet been established. Watterson was unable to confirm at press time whether Danko is being represented by an attorney.