HOUGHTON LAKE HEIGHTS (WWJ) – A Northern Michigan man is awaiting charges in jail after a crime spree that started with a dispute over a leaf blower last weekend led to a five-hour standoff with Michigan State Police on Tuesday.
The 45-year-old suspect from Houghton Lake Heights, whose name has not been released, is accused of destroying his neighbor’s property then robbing the same gas station store twice in four days, according to Michigan State Police.
It all started around noon last Friday when MSP were called out to a home in Houghton Lake Heights on a complaint of destruction of property.
MSP officials say the suspect had an altercation with a neighbor over him using his leaf blower, then removed and destroyed three light bulbs on the victim’s property.
The next day troopers were called to a Citgo gas station, where the suspect walked in, picked up groceries and left without paying for them, according to MSP.
A few days later, the same suspect walked into the gas station on Tuesday morning and tried to buy grocery items with his driver’s license. The gas station clerk recognized him from the previous theft and told the suspect he wasn’t welcome and wouldn’t be able to buy from the store.
Officials say that’s when the suspect told the clerk he had a gun and would shoot him and his brother then rob the store. The clerk asked the suspect to leave.
The suspect then allegedly assaulted the clerk then reached over the counter, stole a bottle of liquor then ran out.
Troopers identified the suspect and obtained arrest and search warrants. When troopers showed up around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday to serve the warrants, officials say the man barricaded himself inside.
A five-hour standoff ensued as the MSP Emergency Support Team and MSP Bomb Squad responded to the scene. The man surrendered shortly after 3:30 p.m. and was taken into custody and held at the Roscommon County Jail.
Authorities did not find any weapons on his property.