There was concern in Sanborn last week over an alleged hostage situation. Investigation seems to indicate that the situation was not as serious as that.
According to O’Brien County Sheriff Bruce Devereaux, a woman entered Sanborn Foods on April 13 and reported that two females were being held hostage by a man with a gun at a residence located at 201 W. Fifth Street in Sanborn.
Devereaux said that, in response, the Sheriff’s Office High-Risk Entry and Arrest Team (HEAT) officer arrived at that location and took the male in question into custody. The Sanborn Police Department reported that no gun was found, and no one had been held against their will. The Police Department added that they found out that the woman who made the report had mental issues and had not taken her medication.
The residence is across the intersection southwest from Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School. Sheriff Devereaux reported that the Middle School was advised of the situation in case they felt a lockdown was in order. However, HMS Middle School Principal Matt Van Voorst indicated that when the call was received, the school day had already ended, so no students remained at the school.