The special response team of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department successfully arrested a man who barricaded himself inside an apartment building at Creekside Court early this morning.

Deputy Chief Tommy Hathaway said the team was called in after it was reported Bobby Purnell had allegedly assaulted his girlfriend and then barricaded himself in the building. It was reported he had a handgun and three small children were in the building with him.

The special response team used a camera system to survey the apartment from the outside and obtained a passkey from the apartment manager to gain entry.

Detective Jamie Hardy negotiated with Purnell, who surrendered around 1:30.

No firearm was found and the children were turned over to family members.

The police reported noted Purnell’s girlfriend had a mark on her face from where she was allegedly hit.

Purnell was charged with assault on a female and jailed without the opportunity for bond.

The special response team trains for high-risk search warrants, narcotics searches and barricaded individuals, Hathaway said. “They train a whole lot and executed flawlessly.”