LOUISVILLE, Ky. — SWAT and police officers were called were outside a shopping center in Middletown Monday morning after someone drove a car through the front entrance of a Walmart Wine & Spirits, according to an LMPD news release.
At about 4:15 a.m., Middletown Police Department responded to a call of a man in his early 30s who had drove his car into the unoccupied liquor store attached to Walmart on Shelbyville Road. He was still in the vehicle when officers arrived on scene, according to a Middletown Police news release.
There was a small fire which police quickly put out. Though it is unclear what exactly started the fire, investigators believe the alcohol appeared to be burning after the man crashed his car and bottles of alcohol broke.
Authorities say the man was in some type of mental crisis. Relatives of the man reportedly called dispatch, saying he was in a mental crisis.
Middletown Chief of Police Robert Herman said negotiations to get the man out of the vehicle didn't go well as he barricaded himself inside. LMPD SWAT and hostage negotiations were called on scene for assistance.
LMPD officers on scene made contact with the man who refused to exit the vehicle before putting it in reverse and attempting to drive out.
The LMPD SWAT/HNT units were able to successfully get the man out of the vehicle without incident. He was taken to UofL Hospital for a mental health evaluation.
According to Chief Herman, it doesn't appear there was any criminal intent. Middletown Police Department is handling this investigation.
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