Aviation Company Founder Charged with Pulling Gun at Sarasota Bradenton Airport

The founder of Heli Aviation, based at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, was arrested Tuesday after a four-hour standoff with Manatee County deputies, according to authorities.

Deputies were looking for Niclas Herle who was wanted on a warrant charging him with aggravated assault after he pulled a pistol on a father and son looking to buy a helicopter at SRQ in May of 2019, according to authorities.

Herle was arrested a few days a few days later. He was released after posting bond.

The victims arrived at the airport and waited for Herle in his office and when he drove up, the son saw Herle remove a pistol from his vehicle and tuck it in his waistband, police say.

According to the original arrest report, Herle immediately drew the firearm and told one of the victims that he would “put a bullet in your head,” if they didn’t leave.

The victims reported the incident to SRQ police.

Herle posted a $10,000 bond, but was arrested again in August of last year during a domestic dispute at the airport where police say Herle damaged a woman’s vehicle as result of the argument. Herle was not supposed to be at the airport because he was trespassed following the aggravated assault arrest.

Police responded to the domestic disturbance, found Herle to be there and arrested him on a criminal trespass charge, according to court documents.

Herle posted bond again, but the court revoked his bond a month later and a new warrant was issued on Oct. 1.

Deputies located Herle on Tuesday at a home in the 7400 block of Broughton Street. Deputies announced themselves and demanded Herle leave the home, but he did not, according to the report.

Deputies went into the home and discovered that Herle had climbed up into the attic. After they found ammunition and a bulletproof vest, they left the home and called for the SWAT unit.

Just as the SWAT team was staging for entry, Herle’s former wife arrived and was able to talk him out of the attic after a four-hour standoff, deputies say.

Herle was taken into custody on the warrants. He was additionally charged with resisting arrest without violence.

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