A Mora man was arrested and charged with second-degree assault after barricading himself in his residence last week.
According to the criminal complaint, the Kanabec County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a domestic disturbance at just after 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 16 on 250th Avenue in Mora.
Robert Ramstad allegedly slammed the door on the hand of his roommate who was trying to enter the home.
Authorities had already been dispatched to the residence due to Ramstad’s behavior multiple times earlier that day.
Deputies arriving on scene were given a key and permission to enter by the homeowner. Ramstad, who allegedly appeared to have a weapon, slammed the door shut and threatened the deputies.
Sheriff Brian Smith said the roadway was blocked off to protect potential passers-by.
"We ended up blocking off the roadway just because of the proximity to the road, and a lot of unknown factors of how things were going to turn out," Smith explained. "And we didn't want to have anyone passing by end up somehow involved."
Pine County SWAT provided assistance and attempted to negotiate with Ramstad, who was seen blocking the residence by stacking items in front of windows and holding a compound bow.
Ramstad refused to comply, and SWAT deployed tear gas and other tactics in an effort to get the suspect to leave.
Smith said Ramstad had to be forcibly removed from the home.
"It was quite an operation," Smith said. "That person obviously had some serious issues going on, and I don't think they were thinking very rationally. So it turned okay; we didn't have any serious injuries to anybody."
Ramstad was also charged with three counts of making terroristic threats, two counts of misdemeanor domestic assault, and obstructing the legal process.
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