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Morning-Long Standoff Ends With Arrest

Posted at 10:14 AM, Jan 07, 2013
and last updated 2013-01-08 06:36:45-05

EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.- A man who barricaded himself inside his East Grand Rapids home Monday morning was placed in a squad car around 10:30 a.m., a peaceful end to a situation that led officials to cancel classes at a nearby elementary school.

According to Capt. Chuck Lark of the East Grand Rapids Public Safety Department, a man called police around 5:15 a.m., claiming to be suicidal. Officers worried he might harm himself and others and called out the response team.

The home is located on Breton Road between Boston Street and Richards Drive in East Grand Rapids. The man was believed to be the only person inside.

Initially, nearby Breton Downs Elementary School was put on a two-hour delay. The school eventually cancelled classes for the day. Police set up a command post at the school.

Officers alerted neighbors and cleared the area, and traffic was diverted off Breton Road between Maplewood Drive and Boston Street.

Negotiators were heard on the loud speaker saying, “You are not in trouble. We just want to make sure you are OK.”

Capt. Lark said the man does not have a history of violence.

The Grand Rapids Police Department assisted.