SHERMAN TOWNSHIP, MI (WTVB) – A 67-year-old woman was arrested in St. Joseph County last Friday for allegedly setting her house on fire during a standoff with police.
St. Joseph Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said in a news release issued by his department that Deputies were requested to the 67000 block of Ottawa Drive in Sherman Township to assist Branch County with locating a wanted subject.
He reports that when deputies approached the residence and tried to contact Mary Ann Finney, she yelled obscenities, and refused to exit the property.
After attempting all means to attempt to get her to come out, deputies drafted a search warrant.
When they tried to force their way, the woman allegedly started a fire inside of her residence.
Bingaman stated, “My deputies found themselves in the middle of an extremely volatile situation. Even though they train for alternative outcomes, no one expected this individual to set their house on fire. Our deputies acted with professionalism, quickly de-escalated the situation, and removed the suspect from their burning house.”
Providing assistance to the Sheriff’s Office were fire departments from Tri-Township, Sturgis and Howe, Indiana along with Lifecare Ambulance Services.
Finney was lodged at the St. Joseph County Jail on Felony Arson of Real Property, Assaulting a Police Officer, and Resisting and Obstructing Police.
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