Police Take Convicted Felon into Custody at Gunpoint

Farmington police took a convicted felon in town into custody at gunpoint Wednesday afternoon when he tried to flee from officers who had his home surrounded, police said in a press release.

A neighbor reported that Bruce Silvernail, 41, fired a hand gun in the front yard of his 21 Junior Road home in Farmington and then "retreated back inside," police said. Officers responded at 1:58 p.m. and set up a perimeter around the home because Silvernail "is not allowed to possess firearms" as a convicted felon.

Police made contact with Silvernail twice by phone during the standoff, but he hung up both times after saying he'd come out the front door. Officers caught him when he tried to escape through the back door at 2:29 p.m.

Silvernail is currently in police custody "being processed on numerous charges," police said. There is also a warrant out for his arrest in Hartford for "possession of narcotics with intent to sell."

A SWAT team was initially called, but police cancelled the request after they took Silvernail into custody.

Police located no "additional suspects" in the home during a "cursory search," but found narcotics and "weapon activity inside." Officers "backed out" and "secured the residence" and are "actively seeking a search warrant" for the house.

Farmington Animal Control retrieved a "large Pit bull" from the house.

The Farmington Police Department asks that "any witnesses to the incident or people with information pertinent to the investigation" call the department's routine line at 860-675-2400.