PONTIAC (WWJ) - A man authorities are calling a "barricaded gunman" was arraigned today on six felony charges following a 3.5 hour standoff with police in Pontiac Nov. 2.
Authorities say Roderick Harris, 23, of Pontiac, is being charged with torture, criminal sexual conduct, assault with intent to do great bodily harm, felonious assault, unlawful imprisonment and first-degree home invasion.
The charges are from an incident on Oct. 26. Police say Harris assaulted a female acquaintance at the Spring Lakes Apartments in Pontiac.
Oakland County Sheriff's Office detectives and members of the Fugitive Apprehension Team (FAT) went to the apartments on the morning of Nov. 2 to arrest Harris, authorities said.
Police say that as FAT members were approaching Harris to arrest him, one of the officers heard Harris rack a weapon. The SWAT team, made up of members of the Sheriff's Office, the Detroit Police Department FAT, U.S. Marshals, Michigan State Police, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sheriff's Office Drone Unit, was called in to assist with the situation.
The residents in 10 apartments had to be evacuated as Harris moved to different units through the rafters trying to avoid police. He was taken into custody after he was convinced to surrender, authorities said.
"It was great work by our whole team from road patrol to detectives to special units like SWAT," Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. "They utilized great containment, evacuation of nearby residents, technology, including an indoor drone, to locate where the suspect was hiding
in an attic and solid negotiating tactics to end the situation with no one hurt. A dangerous person is off the street, and I am proud of our team."
Judge Jeremy Bowie of the 50th District Court ordered that Harris be held without bond. His next court date is set for Nov. 14.
Authorities said that additional charges are expected. Harris has prior convictions for several misdemeanors, carrying a concealed weapon and two counts of felonious assault.
