Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Two men were arrested in Heber City Tuesday after a four-hour standoff.
- Billy Tiedemann and Jason Carlston faced multiple potential charges, including assault and interference.
- The standoff ended with tear gas deployment, and both men surrendered.
HEBER CITY — Two men were arrested in Heber City Tuesday night following a four-hour standoff with police that began as a domestic violence investigation.
Billy Leedean Tiedemann, 39, was booked into the Wasatch County Jail for investigation of a dozen crimes, including assault, assault on an officer, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, and illegal discharge of a firearm.
His friend, Jason Carlston, 46, was arrested for investigation of a half-dozen charges, including assault on a police officer, interfering with police and disorderly conduct.
About 8:50 p.m. Tuesday, police were called to a residence near 200 West and 300 South in Heber City, where Tiedemann's ex-wife told officers "that an argument had erupted when Tiedemann made their children brush their teeth with an essential oil toothpaste, which reportedly caused a burning sensation," according to a statement from police.
As the woman attempted to leave the residence with two of their children, Tiedemann assaulted them, and "in an act of intimidation, Tiedemann allegedly discharged a firearm multiple times. Several neighbors called 911 reporting hearing gunshots," police said. A police booking affidavit further notes that Tiedemann "shot a firearm multiple times into the air." No injuries were reported from the gunshots.
Officers who responded to the house attempted to talk to Tiedemann by phone but said he refused to cooperate. Police then attempted to take Tiedemann "into custody using less-than-lethal force" but were unsuccessful. Officers and Tiedemann were separated by a chain-link fence and while he was outside his residence, two bean bag guns were fired. But after they struck Tiedemann, he ran back inside the house before officers could get to him, according to police.
A SWAT team was called and a four-hour standoff ensued. The Wasatch County Sheriff's Office, the Utah Department of Public Safety and the Summit County Sheriff's Office also provided resources.
"During the standoff, law enforcement deployed tear gas into the home where Tiedemann had barricaded himself," police said.
After filling the house with tear gas, Tiedeman and Carlston came outside and surrendered about 1 a.m. Wednesday.
"Tiedemann is a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal history, including five felony convictions. He is currently serving probation for prior misdemeanor offenses," Heber City police said.
Carlston, who also lives in the house, "actively prevented officers from engaging with Tiedemann" and "despite being offered the opportunity to leave the premises ... refused to comply and interfered with the investigation," police noted.
