By Per Peterson
A nearly five-hour standoff in Milroy that included law enforcement officials from four levels with weapons drawn at a storage building housing a man with an outstanding warrant for domestic assault ended without major incident at about 5:25 p.m. on Wednesday.
After a traffic stop stemming from an in investigation of a domestic assault incident, the suspect led a pursuit into Milroy and fled into a Spartan Storage building. Police officers from Morgan and Lamberton, along with Renville and Redwood County Sheriff personnel and the Minnesota State Patrol, set up a multi-block perimeter around the building, located on the southeast edge of town. Officers with guns and rifles drawn surrounded the building about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday and remained there until late afternoon. Later, the Brown, Lyon, Redwood, Renville Emergency Response Unit arrived on scene with personnel to assist on getting the man out of the building.
The man, 35-year-old Zachariah Marczak, of rural Milroy, is listed on the Redwood County Jail Roster as being held on charges of terroristic threats and fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle. His first court date is pending.
Speaking over a loud speaker, law enforcement was able to get the man inside to finally open the large doors, but he closed them again after a short time.
“We want everyone safe,” the negotiator said over the public address system. “Step outside for your safety. I give you my word you won’t get hurt. Nobody out here will harm you. Help yourself out.
“Step out with your hands above your head, and I guarantee you, you will be safe.”
A few minutes later the unidentified man — a tall, white male — came out for good after a smoke bomb-type device was fired into the building. He was immediately taken into custody.
The one-way conversation over the loud speaker lasted for more than one-half hour.
Milroy Area Schools were on lockdown most of the day, even though there was no tangible general threat to the public.
As of Thursday morning, the man’s identification is being withheld pending formal charges.
The Milroy Fire Department, North Ambulance and Wabasso Ambulance assisted the Redwood County Sheriff’s Office at the scene.