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Ozawkie man accused of setting home on fire

By Greg Bebermeyer

11/14/2018

James Hutchins

(KNZA)--An Ozawkie man is jailed on multiple charges, accused of setting his home on fire after barricading himself in a bedroom.

According to a news release from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, 37-year-old James Patrick Hutchins was booked into the Jefferson County Jail Monday evening on three counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, four counts of cruelty to animals along with felony counts of arson, criminal damage to property and battery of a correctional officer.

The Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to 10927 Arapaho Lane, in Ozawkie, shortly after 5:00 Monday evening on reports of a possibly suicidal man arguing with his mother.

When deputies arrived, the man barricaded himself in a bedroom with a knife and a pit bull.

Deputies made contact with Hutchins and tried to convince him to surrender. The Sheriff’s Office says that’s when Hutchins started a fire in the home, with him and several family pets still inside.

Deputies immediately took action and pulled Hutchins to safety. As they were trying to detain him, Hutchins allegedly started fighting with three of the deputies, until he was restrained and taken into custody.

Five fire departments responded to the fire. The residence was declared a total loss.

The Sheriff’s Office says the incident remains under investigation and additional charges are possible.

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