Melbourne Police Crisis Unit Defuses Armed Domestic Disturbance, Arrests Joseph M. Didio

By  //  March 31, 2020

after five hours of negotiations, suspect voluntarily surrender to SWAT MPD members

Members of the Melbourne Police Department Crisis Negotiations Unit and the Special Weapons and Tactics units responded to assist with the barricaded subject at approximately 5:30 p.m. Monday near Jones Road in Melbourne. According to Melbourne Police Lt. Shawn Eising, the incident began when Joseph M. Didio, 40, of Melbourne, above, attempted to cut his brother with a knife. (BCSO image)

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Members of the Melbourne Police Department Crisis Negotiations Unit and the Special Weapons and Tactics units responded to assist with a barricaded subject at approximately 5:30 p.m. Monday near Jones Road in Melbourne.

According to Melbourne Police Lt. Shawn Eising, the incident began when Joseph M. Didio, 40, of Melbourne, attempted to cut his brother with a knife.

“When the victim was able to evade being cut, the suspect threatened the victim with a handgun,” said Lt. Eising.

“The victim escaped, without being harmed, and notified us. Didio fled the area in his vehicle and was not initially located in a search.”

Lt. Eising said the investigating officers completed charging documents for the crimes of Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Officers continued to search for the suspect and were led to 1717 Jones Road where officers made contact with the homeowner, who indicated Didio periodically stays in a steel building located on the property.

“Didio’s vehicle was located on the property and he was ultimately found to be in the building described by the homeowner,” said Eising.

Lt. Eising said that voice contact was made with Didio, but he refused to voluntarily surrender to the officers.

“At that time, it was also determined he was in the presence of his four-year-old child,” said Lt. Eising.

Members of the Crisis Negotiations Unit and the Special Weapons and Tactics units responded to assist with the barricaded subject.

Members of CNU successfully initiated communication with Didio and after approximately five hours of negotiations were able to convince him to voluntarily surrender to SWAT members.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Melbourne Police Department at 321-
608-6443. Callers can also call CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).

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