A call to police for an aggravated domestic situation turned hostage crisis in Holmes Beach ended May 31 with the arrest of a 30-year-old who lived with his parents in the 500 block of 68th Street.
Holmes Beach Police Detective Sgt. Brian Hall said law enforcement was preparing “to storm the home” when the man’s parents emerged from the residence around 6 a.m. Eventually, they were able to talk their son into surrendering.
HBPD arrested Gerald Alois Harles II on his surrender for aggravated assault with a firearm at 10 a.m.
“I’m glad it ended the way it did,” Hall said. “It could’ve ended up really bad.”
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, at 6608 Marina Drive, and a private home in the 500 block of 68th Street, became staging areas for more than 40 police units, including HBPD and the Manatee County Sheriff’s SWAT and hostage negotiators.
Harles’ mother reported in an affidavit, “at 3:30 a.m. May 31, 2016, Gary, our son who lives with us came home drunk with three friends.”
She stated she refused to allow them inside but at about 4:15 a.m., Harles entered the house with a woman.
Harles broke down his mother’s bedroom door and she called police, according to the affidavit.
Dispatch asked Harles’ mother if weapons were involved so she checked a gun cabinet and saw it open. She called 911 again.
When officers arrived and spoke to the mother at the front door, Harles approached with what appeared to law enforcement to be a shotgun or rifle. He racked the gun as he approached the door, as if he was preparing to fire it.
The officers took cover behind their vehicles.
An HBPD news release stated Harles initially refused to come out or let his parents out.
Harles told his mother he would shoot her or anyone who came into the house.
Law enforcement said Harles did not respond to their attempts to speak to him.
Beginning at about 5 a.m., police evacuated people in nearby residences and turned away people seeking entry to the area.
Harles’ parents came out of the home at 6 a.m.
His mother’s affidavit stated she waited until she heard no sounds and, believing he was passed out in a guest room, she went outside.
“I think the parents actually talked to him and got him to get out,” Hall said.
MCSO public information director Dave Bristow said the operation came to a “successful resolution” as the gunman “didn’t do any harm — any physical harm — to anyone.”
Harles was transported to and booked at the Manatee County jail. A $50,000 bond was assigned.
He was in custody June 6 at Islander press time.
According to Harles’ attorney, Ryan Quigley of the Lombardo Law Office in Bradenton, “if the state attorney office files formal charges, then he will plead not guilty.”
Harles’ arraignment is set for 9 a.m. Friday, July 1, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
Hostage-taker offers apology
Gary Harles — the defendant and son of the hostages —released a statement through his attorney.
According to Ryan Quigley of the Lombardo Law Office, “Gary Harles is a longtime Holmes Beach resident and cares deeply about the island. He would like to apologize to his surrounding neighbors for any disruption that was caused by this incident.”
Quigley said Harles “was actually asleep during the stand-off,” adding, “nonetheless, he deeply regrets this event.”
