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WEST JORDAN, Utah, March 6, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — An arson suspect who refused to surrender to police Monday afternoon after a SWAT standoff is in custody and has been identified.
Christopher William Baron, 45, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated arson, possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, possession of an explosive device and burglary.
The incident began at about 2:30 p.m. in the area of 8430 S. 3900 West, on Country Squire Drive.
“We were trying to apprehend an arson suspect from last night,” Sgt. J.C. Holt, West Jordan Police Department, told Gephardt Daily. “He was carrying a handgun.”
Officers had gone to the man’s home in the West Jordan neighborhood to question him about the arson, but he ran and barricaded himself inside.
A SWAT team was called in.
Some area residents sheltered in place and others were evacuated, Holt said.
At 4 p.m., the situation was ongoing, and the SWAT personnel were preparing for the first stage of the operation, which was to gain entry into the home.
At about 5:45 p.m., SWAT members made their way inside.
“When he recognized they were in,” Holt said, “he came out without the gun.”
Sgt. Holt said a search warrant was being obtained for officials to retrieve the weapon from inside the home and look for related evidence.
