Hourslong standoff in Hastings ends with man in custody, children safe

A standoff that began around noon Thursday in Hastings ended Friday with one man in custody and two children safe.

Police were on scene at a Hastings mobile home park in the area of 31st Street and Millard Avenue after learning a person was barricaded inside a home. Officers had received a 911 call involving park managers and the man and had learned there was a restraining order in place against the man.

When officers told the man he was going to be arrested, he barricaded himself inside a home with the two children.

Tactics including cutting off electricity to the home and using crisis negotiators were used until a SWAT team was ultimately able to gain entrance to the home.

According to the Hastings Police Department, the 13-year-old that was barricaded inside of the home was rescued around 10 p.m. Thursday.

Around 2:30 a.m. Friday, after numerous attempts to have the suspect release the 4-year-old inside of the home, SWAT entered the residence and took the suspect into custody.

Police identified the man as 36-year-old Gerald Edward Bolster II. The case will be forwarded to the Dakota County Attorney’s Office for review and formal charging.

"I am super glad it is all over, and I am glad the kids are safe," one neighbor said.

Because of extreme heat during the day, a number of SWAT officers suffered heat exhaustion. Police said during the stand-off, a dozen officers were treated at the scene and at least three were hospitalized.

Large police, SWAT presence reported at mobile home park in Hastings