Arson Charges Filed After 18-Hour Barricade in Nowthen
BY MN CRIME STAFF
An 18-hour standoff inside a Nowthen home that ended with a fire has resulted in multiple felony charges against a 39-year-old Anoka man.
Clinten Michael Larson was taken into custody Friday, Dec. 19, following a barricade situation at a residence in the 18800 block of Jasper Street NW.
The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office says the incident began just before 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, when emergency dispatchers received a call from a homeowner reporting that a man wanted on outstanding warrants was inside the home.
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Authorities confirmed multiple active warrants along with a KOPS alert related to an order for protection violation. Deputies responded and made contact with Larson, who authorities say threatened to shoot law enforcement and refused to leave the residence. A shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding neighborhood as a precaution.
The Anoka County SWAT Team was activated and negotiators attempted to establish communication, but Larson did not cooperate. During the standoff, authorities say he fired multiple gunshots from inside the home. The situation stretched overnight into Friday, with additional SWAT teams responding to assist with mutual aid.
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At about 12:39 p.m. Friday, a fire broke out inside the residence. Fire crews did not approach the home but supplied hose lines to law enforcement. Because there were no hydrants in the area, a water shuttle was used to deliver water to the scene. Shortly after the fire began, Larson was taken into custody without further incident.
A criminal complaint filed in Anoka County charges Larson with first-degree arson involving a dwelling, second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, third-degree arson, threats of violence involving reckless disregard for risk and first-degree damage to property.
PREVIOUSLY: Anoka County Standoff Ends After 18-Hour SWAT Operation
In addition to the charges tied to the Nowthen incident, booking records list other pending matters, including violations of a restraining order, domestic assault by strangulation, terroristic threats, damage to property and additional arson and assault charges. He remained in custody as of publication.
Law enforcement officials said no injuries were reported during the standoff and ensuing fire.
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