Marion and Clinton County Sheriff’s Deputies worked for more than three hours on Thanksgiving Day to diffuse a situation involving a man who allegedly got a stolen car stuck and then reportedly displayed a rifle.
21-year-old Hunter Hastings of Centralia was taken to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital for treatment after eventually rolling on the ground and giving up after the Clinton County canine approached him after he had put the gun down. Hastings indicated he had drunk anti-freeze earlier in the day. He’s expected to face charges in Clinton County Court, but no details are yet available.
The incident occurred at 710 West 8th Street just outside Junction City. The private lane started in Marion County, but crossed into Clinton County before getting stuck in the mud.
Initial information indicates the property owner first reported a man stuck in his private lane at 9:41 on Thanksgiving morning. During the three hours that followed, Hastings allegedly tried to set the car on fire. It was reportedly stolen from a repair shop in the Carbondale area.
While Hastings was allegedly holding the rifle during some of the standoff, he is not believed to have pointed it at any of the law enforcement officers or others in the area.
