Meth lab uncovered after barricaded gunman situation ends in Warren

WARREN, Mich. (WJBK) - A barricaded gunman situation ends peacefully in Warren, but then police made a big discovery when they finally entered the home.

On Wednesday police find 31 pounds of hazardous material, one gram of methamphetamine with three one-pot cooks pulled from a Warren home.

"We found three one-pot meth labs where they manufactured the meth oil before further breaking it down," said Lt. Charles Barker, Michigan State Police.

Originally Warren police were called to the home on Georgiana Street late Tuesday night at 10:15 after an argument broke out where a 34-year-old man pulled out a gun.

"He apparently threatened two of his friends with a shotgun, pointing it at them," said Mayor Jim Fouts.

The man's friends called police, but the 34-year-old then barricaded himself inside and refused to come out. Hours went by with police trying to negotiate.

"He apparently was under the influence of alcohol and some kind of drug," Fouts said.

Warren police with the help of Sterling Heights police, then used a robot to go into the man's home.

"When the robot went in, they found the individual was asleep and determined it would be okay to break in," Fouts said. "They broke in."

The roughly 6-hour standoff finally over, the man arrested without incident and later charged with two counts of felonious assault.

"He does have a heavy rap sheet going back to 1999," Fouts said. "Apparently he's had a number of charges and arrests."

Discovering the meth lab inside, Michigan State Police, Hazmat and fire crews came out to clean up the mess - relieved no one was hurt.

"Lithium is extremely reactive and it's a fire hazard," Barker said. "Meth labs - what we see, are extremely prone to failure. That means the lithium will melt through the side of the container, ignite that solvent that will cause a house fire."