Boat repossession triggered Hilton Head man's 4-hour armed standoff with deputies

A 54-year-old man, apparently upset his boat had been repossessed, barricaded himself in his Hilton Head Plantation home Wednesday night, leading to a nearly four-hour standoff with authorities, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.

During attempts to speak with him, deputies saw Kenneth E. Allison with several different weapons, including a shotgun, a handgun, and a bow and arrow, according to a release from the Sheriff's Office.

Just before midnight, the SWAT team raided his house and subdued him.

Allison has been charged with pointing a firearm, unlawful use of 911 and possession with intent to distribute marijuana after investigators found more than an ounce of the drug during a search of his home.Allison also was charged July 19 with simple possession of marijuana and public disorderly conduct, according to the jail log.

The incident began Wednesday afternoon when Allison called 911 demanding that deputies respond to recover a boat he said had been "stolen" by the bank. Deputies determined the issue was not a criminal matter, but a civil, repossession case.

Nonetheless, Allison continued to call 911 throughout the afternoon and became increasingly agitated and harassing toward dispatchers, the release said.

At about 7:20 p.m., he called 911 again, and deputies were dispatched to his home on High Bluff Road. He met them armed with a shotgun, according to the release.

Authorities surrounded the home, and Allison retreated inside, refusing to come out.

Neighbors were contacted through a reverse 911 call system and asked to remain in their homes.

The Sheriff's Office Negotiations Team and SWAT team spent the next several hours trying to persuade him to communicate or surrender, but he would do neither.

At about 11:45 p.m., SWAT members stormed the home, subdued him and arrested him.

Sheriff P.J. Tanner, who was on the scene, said Thursday he ordered the raid.

"Based on the circumstances, I made the decision that an opportunity presented itself for SWAT team members to enter the house," he said. "I can't give details on how we make these types of tactical decisions -- tactical operations have to remain that way."

Investigators found weapons and the drugs after searching the house, according to the release.

Allison was evaluated at Hilton Head Hospital and later released to the county Detention Center, where he awaits a bond hearing.