Ridgeland standoff ends with arrest

RIDGELAND — A man is in custody on assault and animal cruelty charges following a three-hour standoff with law enforcement last week on Nolan Circle, the authorities said.

The man, Martin Andrew Allen, 33, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and animal cruelty. Patrol Commander Eddy Addison said Allen remains in the Madison County Detention Center and is being held on a $5,000 bond.

Addison said the incident began on Wednesday, Aug. 17, when Ridgeland Police received a call reporting an assault at a residence on Nolan Circle off of East School Street at about 8:30 a.m. 

When officers arrived on scene they saw a male suspect attacking a male victim with a shovel in the front yard of the residence. Addison said the presence of the responding officer caused the male suspect, who has now been identified as Allen, to flee into the house while the officer rendered aid to the victim.

“We had a negotiator on scene but every attempt to contact Allen failed,” Addison said.

Addison said they deployed oleoresin capsicum gas into the house in an attempt to drive Allen outside. Addison said OC gas is basically mace or pepper spray.

When Allen did not emerge officers entered the dwelling and found Allen in the attic under insulation holding the dog.

The animal cruelty charge stems from taking the dog into the attic as temperatures in the attic were well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

The victim, who Addison said was an owner of the home and in a romantic relationship with Allen, suffered minor injuries and was not transported to the hospital. The dog was returned to the custody of the victim who was not identified. Addison said the shovel has been recovered as well.

The Madison County Sheriff’s SWAT team assisted RPD during the incident.

“It was hot and we were able to give people breaks during the standoff,” Addison said. “We worked really well together.”