NIAGARA FALLS — A 44-year-old Sy Road man kept police at bay with a pellet gun for over an hour Friday as they attempted to arrest him on felony rape charges.
According to Niagara Falls Police Department, Robert Pavlisin Jr., had been involved in a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl. When police attempted execute a search warrant on his Sy Road home, where he lives in his parents basement, they found him to not be there.
Eventually police found his vehicle parked at a New Road business where he was found to be hiding in a storage building. By cell phone, Pavlisin told police he had a gun, which he showed through a crack in the storage building during the standoff.
Around 7:30 p.m., Pavlison gave himself up and dropped the gun, which turned out to be a pellet gun. He told police he had bought it just 20 minutes prior to their arrival.
He’s facing two counts of second-degree rape, second-degree engaging in a criminal sex act, and first-degree disseminating indecent material to a minor — all felonies, as well as other potential charges related to the standoff.
Other charges could be pending if police found that Pavlisin engaged in acts with the girl in other municipalities. They also believe other victims could be involved and ask anyone with any information to call (716) 286-4711.
