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Crime & Safety

No Charges To Be Filed In West Norriton Standoff

Ronald Dziewit, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, will not be charged in last week's standoff with police.

The West Norriton Police Department has declined to pursue charges against 51-year old Ronald Dziewit in connection with last week's three-hour armed standoff with police.

"We will not be bringing any charges against Mr. Dziewit," said West Norriton Police Chief Robert Adams.

Dziewit, 51, had after personnel from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department attempted to serve eviction papers on the morning of Oct 4. 

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Reportedly armed with two shotguns and a rifle, the veteran engaged police and SWAT personnel in a three-hour standoff that ended peacefully after police negotiators enlisted the help of Dziewit's family and friends to convince the man to surrender.

Immediately following his surrender, Dziewit was involuntarily committed to the Montgomery County Emergency Service psychiatric hospital for evaluation. He has since been released.

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A neighbor who declined to be identified stated that Dziewit had been having problems with his mortgage in recent years, and added that "Ron" had previously expressed defiance at the prospect of losing his home.

The home was originally purchased by Dziewit for $142,000 through a VA-insured mortgage with Wells Fargo in February of 2003, but property records show that the home was later purchased by the Department of Veterans Affairs for $1,534.75 at a Sheriff's sale in June of 2007. 

Additional records show that Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC – who were contracted by the Department of Veterans Affairs to oversee foreclosed properties from 2003 through 2009 – had executed an eviction notice against Dziewit in January of 2008.

In 2009, the Department of Veterans Affairs terminated its contract with Ocwen and the foreclosed properties are now managed by BAC Home Loans – a subsidiary of Bank of America.

Phone calls to Phelan, Hallinan and Schmieg – the collection firm that facilitated the VA's purchase of the home at the sheriff's sale – have not been returned. The Department of Veterans Affairs has also declined to comment.

Norristown Patch will be following this story and bringing our readers updates as new information comes to light.

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