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Devices disabled after man's arrest
The Chattanooga police bomb squad disabled two devices in a Red Bank apartment early Sunday after a barricaded man was taken into custody, authorities said.
Chandler Wynn Mauldin, 24, of 4223 Tacoma Ave., was in the Hamilton County Jail on $140,000 bond, Red Bank Police Chief Tim Christol said in a news release. Mauldin is charged with two counts of assault and one count of possession of a prohibited device.
Christol said authorities were called to Mauldin's apartment about 10:30 p.m. Saturday on a report that he had an explosive device. Mauldin refused to open the door and told police he had a bomb and several weapons, Christol said.
Several nearby families were evacuated or told to stay indoors. Red Bank and Hamilton County Sheriff S.W.A.T. teams, the Chattanooga Police Department bomb squad, emergency services and the Red Bank Fire Department staged at a nearby parking lot.
Christol said negotiations continued until 4 a.m., when Mauldin was taken into custody without incident.
He said the Chattanooga police bomb squad disabled two devices found in the apartment.
East Ridge man reported missing
East Ridge police are asking the public for information on Jerry Lee Matthews, who was reported missing Sunday.
A police news release said Matthews, 65, of 5306 Weaver St., was last seen about 8 p.m. Saturday by a neighbor.
He wasn't home when a relative checked on him about 11:15 a.m. Sunday, the release stated.
Matthews has health problems, and his family is concerned.
He is 6 feet tall, weighs 150 pounds and has green eyes, brown hair and a graying beard and mustache.
Anyone with information is asked to call the East Ridge Police Department at 423-622-1725.
Apartments damaged in blaze
Six area fire departments responded to a fire Sunday at the Bell Standifer Gap Apartments on Jenkins Road, Hamilton County Emergency Services spokeswoman Amy Maxwell said in a news release.
No one was injured in the blaze, which is under investigation, she said.
Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department was first on the scene, she said. Crews saw fire and smoke in two apartments in Building 4 and put out a mutual aid call.
Firefighters from Highway 58 VFD and the Catoosa County (Ga.) Fire Department showed up to help, while Bradley County Fire and Rescue and East Ridge Fire Department stood by to cover other calls in Tri-Community's territory.
Damage is estimated at $30,000, Maxwell said.
The American Red Cross opened a shelter and is providing assistance to displaced tenants.