Nunchuck assault suspect arraigned in Miami County court

PIQUA — UPDATE @ 12:29 p.m. (Jan. 23)

In court Tuesday, bond was set at

The self-described “sovereign citizen” was arraigned in Miami County Municipal Court. He faced a half-dozen charges to include aggravated burglary, felonious assault and tampering with evidence.

UPDATE @ 3:45 p.m. (Jan. 22)

Police have identified the suspect in this morning’s standoff as Lenvil Persinger,  43, of Piqua.

Persinger was booked into jail on suspicion of felonious assault, criminal damage and obstructing official business.

According to police, Persinger busted into a neighboring apartment after hearing a boyfriend and girlfriend arguing and assaulted the 26-year-old man in the head with nunchucks.

After making contact with Persinger, police said he refused to talk to investigators.

Persinger is a “self-identified sovereign citizen,” which means he doesn’t believe laws apply to him and he doesn’t recognize the authority court system, said Piqua Police Chief Bruce Jamison.

Due to previous dealings with Persinger and his beliefs, the department dispatched the Piqua-Sidney Tactical Response Team to assist in his arrest, police said.

In October 2017, when officers responded to the same apartment on a noise complaint, Persinger was waving a firearm as an officer tried to investigate the incident, investigators said.

UPDATE @ 11:46 a.m. (Jan. 22)

A standoff situation has ended and a man is in custody.

Police on scene told News Center 7’s Steve Baker that a male neighbor with nunchucks reportedly assaulted another male of the apartment building. The man assaulted was involved in a domestic dispute at the time.

The male in custody is the one who had nunchucks, police said.

FIRST REPORT

An apparent standoff is actively underway on Park Avenue in Piqua this morning.

Officers and a heavily armored police vehicle were in the area of the 1000 block of Park around 11 a.m.

We’re working to learn more.