Suspect in custody after incident near Maplewood Mall

MAPLEWOOD, Minn. (FOX 9) - Maplewood police say a 42-year-old man is in custody after he barricaded themselves for hours near the Maplewood Mall Wednesday night, threatening to have an improvised explosive device.

Officials say around 5:10 p.m. officers attempted to stop an RV near White Bear Avenue and Gervais Avenue because they believed the vehicle's owner had an outstanding warrant.

The RV did not stop and drove off. Police did not chase the vehicle, but later found it in the 3000 block of White Bear Avenue.

When officers tried to talk to the suspect, they received threats. Authorities believed the person possibly had "access to deadly weapons."

The vehicle was on a ring road between White Bear Ave and the Mall near Woodlynn Avenue. Stores in the area were cleared.

After the man claimed to have an IED, St. Paul Police Bomb Squad assisted with the response. Negotiators were in contact with the suspect throughout the event, but he was "erratic" and refused to cooperate.

After exhausting all other options, authorities put an irritating gas in the RV. Authorities took the suspect into custody at 9:30 p.m.

The suspect received a medical evaluation at Regions Hospital before being booked into Ramsey County Jail.