Press release
On December 3, 2019 at 4:46p.m., the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to 3634 Knowlesville Road in the Town of Ridgeway for a disturbance in progress.
First arriving units found a large crowd outside of the residence and learned that a person had been assaulted and a mini-14 rifle and a shotgun had been stolen.
The suspect, Edward R. Loper, 31, then went back inside the residence after threatening to kill the people that were in the front yard.
A perimeter was then established by members of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office along with the New York State Police. After being unable to make contact with Mr. Loper, the Orleans County Multi-Agency SWAT Team was requested to the scene.
Members of the SWAT team then took up positions on the perimeter and attempted to make contact with Mr. Loper. Due to the cold temperature and weather conditions, the Genesee County SWAT Team, along with the Monroe County SWAT Team, were also called to the scene to assist.
Contact was made with Mr. Loper by an Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Investigator and a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Negotiator. After engaging in hours long phone conversation with Mr. Loper, and conducting several tactics used by the SWAT teams on scene, Mr. Loper agreed to come out of the residence. At 2:48a.m. , Mr. Loper exited the front door of the residence and was taken into custody.
As a result of this incident, Mr. Loper was arrested on the following charges;
Robbery 2nd
Burglary 2nd
Criminal Possession of a Weapon
Assault 3rd
Menacing 2nd
Grand Larceny 4th
Mr. Loper was arraigned in the Town of Ridgeway Court by Justice Kujawa and was remanded to the Orleans County Jail on $50,000 cash bail. Mr. Loper is to reappear in the Town of Ridgeway Court on 12/09/19 at 9:00 a.m.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all responding law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and EMS personnel for their assistance.