Robbery suspect takes own life during standoff with police
An armed robbery in Greene County turned into a police chase in Fayette County before the suspect was cornered and ultimately committed suicide Sunday. Investigating Trooper Raymond C. Stewart with state police in Waynesburg reported that Duane Edward Martin, 30, of 219 Blosser Hill Road, Lake Lynn, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head after a standoff on Nilon Road with troopers from Fayette and Greene counties just outside of Point Marion.
Police said that the events began earlier in the day at 6 p.m. when Martin robbed the 9 to 9 store of over $800 at gunpoint. He fled the scene in a light blue Ford Tempo with gray primer on the driver’s side. The car was later spotted in Point Marion by a trooper stationed in Uniontown.
Stewart noted that Martin was spotted driving in the Point Marion area by the Uniontown officer but was still driving around the borough when he arrived.
“We don’t know for sure what he was doing. We have an idea. …He stopped initially in Point Marion then took off, firing a shot at officers,” he said.
Stewart said that while a roadblock was being formed in the vicinity of his home officers chased him to his Blosser Hill residence where he confronted officers before fleeing down River Road to the roadblock at Nilon Road.
Once the suspect was boxed in on Nilon Road, police began negotiations.
During two hours of negotiations, police said that Martin threatened repeatedly to kill himself before actually taking his own life.
Stewart noted that Martin has a record of driving under the influence of alcohol and was driving the car under a suspended license. He also added that Martin was due to be incarcerated for his fifth DUI conviction.
“I am sure that is part of what had to be going through his mind during all of this,” Stewart said.
Members of the Fayette County Coroner’s office were called to the scene but no report was available Monday.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete at presstime but are under the direction of Behm Funeral Home of Jefferson, Greene County.