Hillsdale man arraigned for possessing 'pipe bombs'
HILLSDALE — A Hillsdale man was arraigned Wednesday, Jan. 18, in 2B District Court on two counts of possession of a dangerous weapon for two "pipe bombs" discovered at a home he was arrested at in Cambria on Tuesday, Jan. 10.
Authorities including a fugitive team had been searching for 35-year-old Michael Lyon on an outstanding warrant for two counts of first-degree home invasion stemming from October 2021 when he is alleged to have stolen over 50 firearms.
Police had tracked Lyon down to the Camden Apartments earlier in their investigation and he fled from the Michigan State Police at a high rate of speed, but troopers discontinued the pursuit due to their internal policies.
A tipster led police to a home in Cambria on Jan. 10 and multiple officers from various agencies including the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, Michigan State Police, First District Fugitive Task Force and the Region of Irish Hills Narcotics Office teamed together to bring him into custody.
More:Pipe bombs discovered in Cambria during fugitive manhunt
Detective Wes Ludeker testified Jan. 18 that information police had received during their search for Lyon indicated he was armed and did not want to be returned to prison.
When police made contact at the Cambria home, Lyon was armed and barricaded himself in the home.
"He would come up to a window and put up his middle finger," Ludeker testified during the arraignment hearing.
The Michigan State Police Emergency Response Team was requested to assist, and Lyon eventually surrendered without incident.
During a subsequent discussion with arresting officers, Lyon told them he was debating whether or not to "shoot it out with law enforcement," Ludeker said.
Police discovered two pipe bombs during a subsequent search of the home. Ludeker described the devices as gun powdered filled cardboard tubes, one with tape around it.
The Michigan State Police Bomb Disposal Unit was called in to dispose of the devices on site, rather then store them in police evidence lockers.
Ludeker argued there was a clear and present danger presented by Lyon to law enforcement and the general public if Lyon were to be released on bond.
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Ultimately, Judge Megan Stiverson set bond in both counts at $50,000 cash and scheduled the matters for a probable cause conference at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 1.
Lyon was scheduled for a probable cause conference on the two counts of first-degree home invasion for earlier in the day Jan. 18, but that hearing was adjourned to coincide with the new charges on Wednesday, Feb. 1.
Lyon previously served a prison term for breaking and entering a building with intent and was discharged from parole on Feb. 23, 2022, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections Offender Tracking Information System.
— Corey Murray is the Public Safety Reporter for The Hillsdale Daily News, Sturgis Journal and The Daily Reporter. Contact him by email atcmurray@hillsdale.net or follow him on Twitter: @cmurrayHDN.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Hillsdale man arraigned for possessing 'pipe bombs'
