By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – The man involved in Monday night's armed standoff with police on the Niagara section of the Thruway is facing a laundry list of charges.
Police say 66-year old James Gilchriese will be charged with DWI, menacing, unlawful imprisonment and criminal possession of a weapon.
Gilchriese remains hospitalized at the Erie County Medical Center. Law enforcement officials say he has some physical ailments resulting from his arrest. They say his arraignment on several charges will be delayed until his release from ECMC.
Gilchriese was pulled over by police after a motorist saw him allegedly hitting a female companion in his car. Officers then backed off when he displayed a gun.
The Buffalo Police Department's SWAT commander, Mark Maraschiello, said hostage negotiators were able to talk to Gilchriese on his cell phone.
"He was trying to make too many demands on us that were unreasonable," Maraschiello said. "He wanted us to move back. He didn't want any police officers around. He wanted a lot of things that weren't going to happen."
The SWAT team eventually subdued Gilchriese as darkness fell.
In an interview with WBFO News Tuesday, Mayor Byron Brown praised the action of the SWAT team. He said he was in constant contact with police officials as Monday's events unfolded.