Police: Westerlo man threatened group with shotgun

A Westerlo man is accused of threatening a group of people with a shotgun. The group included many children under 15, police said.

It happened around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, according to police. Thomas F. Conover, 35, was reportedly asked to leave the victim’s property. He did, but came back later with a shotgun, police said.

Conover then then allegedly aimed the gun at a group of people, which included many children under the age of 15.

Conover left again before police arrived. He was found at his home, where he barricaded himself and refused to exit, police said. Conover surrendered after a brief standoff and was arrested. Police seized the firearm and other illegally possessed weapons.

Conover was charged with reckless endangerment, menacing, criminal possession of a weapon, and nine counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He was arraigned in Westerlo Town Court and released on his own recognizance.