The man who Hampton police say barricaded himself inside the Superior Pawn & Gun shop on Mercury Boulevard following an alleged burglary was taken into custody Friday afternoon.
Police responded to the store in the 100 block, near the intersection of Mercury Boulevard and LaSalle Avenue, following a report of a burglary at about 6:34 a.m. The subsequent police presence caused traffic delays into the early afternoon.
Hampton police said in a post on X at 4:12 p.m. that a suspect had been taken into custody with no injuries. A later update stated that the suspect was a 34-year-old man but did not name him.
The man allegedly forced his way into the building, took “various items” and tried to leave but stayed inside to avoid police, according to a news release. The law enforcement response included Hampton’s SWAT team along with support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the FBI.
Just after 8:15 a.m., officials closed the east and westbound lanes of West Mercury Boulevard between North Kings Street and LaSalle Avenue. At about 2 p.m., police said the eastbound lanes of West Mercury Boulevard had been reopened.
Hampton City Schools told parents the situation was going to cause “delays for both student drop-offs and school pickups division-wide.”
“We appreciate your patience as we work to transport students home safely,” the Friday morning release said. “Parents and guardians of students with bus stops near the barricade will receive further updates if we are unable to transport those students home.”
In a post referencing “inaccurate information being posted on social media,” police said there have been no injuries or shots fired.
