Update: Standoff In Marion Continues

by Breanna Fuss, Reporter
December 24, 2012 5:09 PM


Police were still surrounding a home in the northwestern part of Marion Monday night in a standoff that has lasted more than nine hours.

It all started Sunday night at around 8 o’clock when police tried to pull over 32-year-old Jonathan Mandler for violating his parole in Sioux Falls.

He took police on a three county high-speed chase. Authorities found Mandler’s vehicle in Marion Sunday night, but he wasn’t in it.

Then around 9 o'clock Monday morning this mother called 911. She told authorities that Mandler was holding his grandmother and his teenage cousin hostage.

Turner County Sheriff Byron Nogelmeier said as soon as 32-year-old Jonathan Mandler’s mother made the call to 911.

Authorities, including a SWAT team, rushed to his grandmother's home near Alley and Park Street in Marion where they surrounded the house.

“We negotiated to at least get his grandmother released,” said Nogelmeier.

But also being held hostage inside was Mandler's teenage cousin. Nogelmeier said with any hostage situation, it's tricky.

“He's told us he is armed, so we are taking every precaution that we can,” said Nogelmeier.

Authorities had been able to communicate with Mandler who had demands.
   
“Right now we are just in negotiations trying to get him out, and its not really going our way,” said Nogelmeier.

And authorities say he wanted them fulfilled before he let his teenage cousin go.

"They aren't big demands but it takes time to do them safely,” said Nogelmeier.

The standoff had gone on for hours before Mandler let the hostage go at around 4:30 Monday afternoon.

Mandler was still inside as of Monday night. Authorities said they believe Mandler is armed with a gun, and they don’t know what his motive is. The South Dakota Highway Patrol, Division of Criminal Investigation and the Turner and Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Departments and Sioux Falls Swat are all on scene.