On September 14th the Thayer Police Department received a call from a resident on Gilbert Ave. requesting to speak with an officer. When the officer arrived, he was met by the reporting party (RP) who stated that a subject identified as Randy C. McDermott, 56, of Thayer, MO was at the RP’s residence the night prior and that he, the RP, went into the restroom and when he came out McDermott stated that he had to leave. The RP stated that this morning he noticed his dresser drawer open and his .25 caliber handgun was missing.
The RP then went to McDermott’s home, a block away, to ask McDermott to give him his gun back. The RP stated McDermott pointed the gun at him and said: “I’ll use your own gun on you.” “If you call the police I will beat you up.” While the officer was still on scene collecting a statement from the RP, the RP received several phone calls from McDermott threatening to shoot him.
Officers arrived at the 200 block of Gilbert, positioned themselves around the residence and called for more backup. Once backup arrived, officers attempted to make contact with McDermott by knocking on the front door and announcing “Police”. A noise was heard from inside the residence at which point officers decided to back away from the residence and call for additional backup to assist.
After an approximate 5 hour standoff involving officers from multiple agencies including Thayer Police Department, Oregon County Sheriff’s Department, Alton Police Department, West Plains Police Department, Howell County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri State Highway Patrol, McDermott was taken into custody without incident.
After the completion of a search warrant at 207 Gilbert, officers recovered 39 rounds of various caliber ammo, two baggies with a white crystal like substance, one baggie with a white bead like substance, rolling papers, five straws, one glass pipe, one torch lighter consistent with the use of methamphetamine, and a set of scales. No firearms where recovered at the residence.
McDermott has been formally charged with:
- Burglary 1st Degree – Class B Felony
• Resisting/Interfering With Arrest For A Felony – Class B Felony
• Unlawful Use Of Weapon – Subsection 4 – Exhibiting – Class E Felony
• Armed Criminal Action – Unclassified Felony
Bond set at – No Bond
Additional charges are pending at this time.
The Thayer Police Department would like to thank the Oregon County Sheriff’s Department, Alton Police Department, Howell County Sheriff’s Office, Howell County S.W.A.T., West Plains Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Oregon County Ambulance and the Thayer Fire Department for their assistance.