Police nab woman threatening suicide

Watertown police on Saturday evening apprehended a woman two hours — and many miles — after she reportedly threatened to harm herself with a gun in a parking lot at Starbucks off Arsenal Street.

"All's well that ends well," city police Sgt. James R. Spencer Jr. said after the ordeal.

The 50-year-old woman, whom police declined to identify because she was arrested only under provisions of state mental health law, was stopped about 7:20 p.m. when she pulled into the Samaritan Keep Home parking lot off Washington Street. She was taken next door to Samaritan Medical Center for evaluation, and the gun was recovered, police said.

Police at 5:14 p.m. responded to the report of a woman threatening to shoot herself outside the Starbucks, 1242 Arsenal St., but the suspect left in a vehicle before patrols arrived.

After initially searching around businesses along outer Arsenal and Coffeen streets, patrols were led through the Calcium, Philadelphia and Evans Mills areas, then back into the city.

Local police agencies, including Jefferson County sheriff's deputies and state police, were assisted by Verizon, which periodically tracked the woman's vehicle through her cell phone signal.

The woman, who police said may formerly have worked as a college police officer, through calls to a third party reportedly threatened to shoot officers or herself if pulled over, Sgt. Spencer said. However, no charges are expected, since the alleged threats weren't made directly, he said.

"The biggest thing is she needed help," Sgt. Spencer said.