(COLUMBIA, MO) -
On 06/26/15 a Boone County arrest warrant was issued for Mehrdad Fotoohighiam for Arson in the first degree with a 5,000,000.00 cash only bond. This warrant was issued as a result of an investigation conducted by Columbia Police and Columbia Fire Department investigators into the 12/15/2014 residential structure fire in the 3400 block of Rock Quarry Road.
On 06/27/15 at approximately 10:25 P.M. officers confirmed that sixty year old suspect Merhdad Fotoohighiam was located in a residence in the 5500 block of Carrick Court. When Street Crimes Unit Officers attempted to serve the arrest warrant on Fotoohighiam at the residence, he began to barricade himself inside. Officers were able to safely remove other occupants of the residence and began efforts to gain Fotoohighiam's voluntary surrender. Officers received information that Fotoohighiam had access to several firearms inside the residence. Officers patiently attempted multiple avenues of communication with Fotoohighiam but received no response.
Due to Fotoohighiam's reported access to weapons and his lack of response to requests for a voluntary surrender, The Columbia Police Department S.W.A.T. team and Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) were activated. At approximately 2:00 A.M on 06/28/15 members of the S.W.A.T team and CNT arrived on scene and continued efforts to take Fotoohighiam into custody.
At approximately 6:50 A.M., after an approximate seven hour standoff, Columbia Police S.W.A.T officers were able to take Fotoohighiam into custody and bring a peaceful resolution to this tense and potentially dangerous incident. No injuries were reported during this incident or while in the process of taking Fotoohighiam into custody.
No other information is available for release at this time.
2015-006997
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