Arson and a Standoff in Town of Fond du Lac

RIPON, Wis (WRPN)- A 32-year-old Town of Fond du Lac man was arrested for setting a fire and after a more than a 7-hour standoff with law enforcement.

Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s officials say it began shortly before three Friday morning when a home security system in the town of Fond du Lac alerted homeowners to motion outside their home. When deputies arrived they reviewed the home’s surveillance video and saw a suspect spray an accelerant on the side of the home and light it on fire. The suspect fled and the fire burned itself out.

Deputies identified a suspect who lived in a nearby home. The suspect refused contact from deputies and eventually barricaded himself in his basement. Neighbors were asked to shelter in place and one nearby home was evacuated.

Gas and irritant agents were used but the man refused to exit his basement. Eventually the Sheriff’s Office used an armored vehicle to bust open a communications port in the side of the home and the suspect surrendered. He was taken to the Fond du Lac County Jail on felony charges.

No one was hurt during the incident.

Press Release.