A 32-year-old man was taken into police custody Wednesday morning after reportedly barricading himself inside his home. The incident is said to have occurred after the man struck two women on horseback Tuesday night, according to Michigan State Police Niles Post Lieutenant and assistant post commander Melinda Logan.
The women were reported to have been riding horses along a road when the man struck them with a car around 7:45 p.m. Police did not release information about what road the women were riding on. The women called the police with his license plate information. The women sustained minor injuries and checked themselves into the hospital and were reportedly released.
Police say they are not sure yet what the motive was for striking the women and their horses, but the lieutenant said it was not an accident.
“He intentionally hit them,” Logan said.
The man contacted police authorities Tuesday night and emergency authorities responded to the residence around 11:20 p.m., according to Logan.
Logan also said that the man was reported to have been in contact with friends and family via telephone. While it had not yet been confirmed on Wednesday morning, Logan said that according to family members, the man had weapons inside the home.
“We had information last night that there were weapons inside and several long guns,” Logan said. “So that was the purpose for activating the emergency support team.”
An investigation and full sweep of the house was set to take place, where authorities would search for the alleged weapons.
Authorities were led to believe that the man was alone in the home. They were also planning on searching the house to see if there was anyone else inside.
“The emergency support team is going through the house to make sure there were no victims that we were unaware of,” Logan said. “Once the house is safe and secure, then our detectives will go in and secure any evidence from the initial crime, based off what the search warrant request was.”
Negotiators and a support team attempted to make contact with the man Tuesday.
“He never made contact with our negotiators, but luckily family and friends have been reaching out to our negotiators in hopes to resolve this peacefully, which is what occurred,” Logan said.
At approximately 9 a.m. Wednesday the man peacefully surrendered to Michigan State Police Emergency Support Team and was taken to Cass County Jail. He could face charges of aggravated assault for using a car as a weapon, but Logan said it would ultimately be up to the prosecutor to decide what charges the man will face based on all the evidence that authorities obtain.
In order to assure the safety of the suspect, neighbors and those traveling along the highway, Logan said the Michigan State Police shut down part of M-60 from the intersection at Daily Road to Pine Lake.
“We typically will close down a parameter for any situation that could be dangerous for the person that has barricaded themselves in,” Logan said. “We set up a large parameter for the situation because we are out in the middle of the country and it is easier for people to stay on main roadways.”
Logan said the Michigan State Police Niles Post were assisted by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities also utilized the aviation unit to get a view of the entire location.
“Luckily it came out peaceful and we are very thankful for that,” Logan said. “That is always our plan is to have that happen and with the help of his family and friends we were able to accomplish that.”