A 47 year old Lakeville man is accused of setting a fire and threatening people with a gun. The incident allegedly happened Saturday afternoon in Wadena County. Police believe the man intentionally set fire to a building in North Germany Township, causing the building to be a total loss. The suspect is then accused of firing shots into a wooded area when officers arrived- causing nearby residents to have to shelter in place.
The Wadena/Hubbard SWAT team were called to the scene and an armored vehicle was sent from Otter Tail County, a release says. Police were able to keep track of where the suspect was in the woods through the use of a drone.
The man was eventually arrested after he attempted to flee south through the woods into a swampy area.
He was taken to Astera Health in Wadena for a medical evaluation and then to the Wadena County Jail. He has pending charges for 2nd-degree assault, 2nd-degree arson and reckless discharge of a firearm.