Charges filed after SWAT response
WHITEWATER—Prosecutors filed three misdemeanor charges Thursday against a Whitewater man arrested Tuesday after a SWAT team and two police departments responded to his home. John Ropiak, 40, 355a S. Janesville St., is accused of refusing to leave his home or talk to police, who had responded for a report of domestic abuse. The Walworth County SWAT Team, UW-Whitewater police and city police encircled the home, and residents in nearby homes were evacuated while police negotiated with Ropiak, Whitewater Police Lt. Tim Gray said. Ropiak’s wife believed he was suicidal because in past incidents he had threatened to point a weapon at officers and make them shoot him, Gray said. Ropiak came out of his home about 3:44 a.m. and was transported to the Walworth County Jail, where he remained an inmate this morning. Walworth County prosecutors on Thursday charged Ropiak with one count of battery and two counts of disorderly conduct.

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