AL man charged after standoff

ALBERT LEA — An Albert Lea man was charged in Freeborn County District Court on Wednesday with five counts in connection with a standoff with law enforcement Monday evening in Clarks Grove.

Edward Olmeda, 37, faces charges of terroristic threats, a felony; third-degree burglary, a felony; third-degree criminal damage to property, a gross misdemeanor; obstructing the legal process, a gross misdemeanor; and driving after cancellation, a misdemeanor.

Court documents state the standoff began shortly after a Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to stop Olmeda, who was driving a white Chevy pickup on Main Street in Clarks Grove. There were reportedly two warrants out for his arrest.

Olmeda reportedly pulled into a driveway at 317 W. Main St., where he ran from the pickup to a barn behind the house.

In the barn, he climbed a ladder to the upper level, where he reportedly told deputies he had a gun and threatened to shoot them and hurt himself, court records state. He reportedly threw wood and other items down at the deputies.

He eventually surrendered — about one hour and 15 minutes after the standoff began.

Though he was known to carry a gun, Olmeda did not have any weapons that day, court reports stated. No one was injured.

Olmeda’s felony counts each carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

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