(MITCHELL) – Police arrested 37-year-old Christopher Brian Conrad of Bradenton, Florida, after a domestic fight and setting fire to Persimmon Park Apartments.
Conrad is facing charges of arson, domestic battery, strangulation, intimidation, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. He is being held in the Lawrence County Jail on a $5,005 cash bond.
Several police agencies, as well as the Mitchell Fire Department and Marion Township Volunteer Fire Departments and an AMR ambulance, responded to a report of a fire at Persimmon Park Apartment, and a man barricaded with a gun inside of an apartment just after 8 p.m. Friday. The caller told dispatchers Conrad was breaking out windows with a ball bat and had a knife and was in apartment 9 in building 2. The caller reported the building was on fire at 8:27 p.m.
Officers and firefighters evacuated the building.
At 8:28 p.m. there was a report of Conrad leaving the apartment and making his way to the wood line. A Mitchell Police officer reported the male was located about 10 feet from the apartment and he was armed. Conrad was in the woodline making demands.
At 8:42 p.m. the male was on the move, moving northeast from the building.
Huron VFD responded with the department’s drone.
At 8:51 p.m. a taser was deployed and Conrad was in custody.
At this time, officials remain on the scene, and no other details are available.
According to an employee with Persimmon Park Apartments, four or five families have been displaced. At least one apartment was heavily damaged, and several other apartments had minor damage. The residents affected will be put up in a local motel. The Red Cross responded to the scene to assist. Some families are requiring some clothing for small children; some efforts have been started to help them with their immediate needs.
Orleans VFD responded to assist with filling up air bottles with portable cascade system.
Earlier –
Officers have set up a secured perimeter between Doc Hamilton Boulevard and the area surrounding the apartments.
According to a Facebook post by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, the suspect involved in a domestic violence situation at the apartments has run from the scene on foot after setting the apartments on fire.
The suspect is 5’6″, 145 lbs. with hazel eyes and Red Hair. Citizens are urged to lock doors and remain inside. Please report any suspicious persons or activity and call 911.
Officials are asking citizens to avoid the area as fire personnel is working to extinguish the fire.
As soon as 1340 WBIW receives more information this story will be updated.
