BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Officers from the Battle Creek Police Department arrested a 36-year-old man early Monday morning after an attempted break-in, theft of a patrol vehicle, vehicle pursuit and standoff.

Shortly before 3 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5, officers were dispatched by Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority to the 500 block of Capital Avenue SW for a reported breaking and entering. A caller reported that a suspect had left the area and was walking on Eldred Street.

Officers located the suspect near Eldred Street and Capital Avenue SW and observed him carrying a hammer. According to the preliminary investigation, the suspect became hostile toward officers during the encounter and stated that officers would have to shoot him because he was not going back to jail.

Officers attempted to de-escalate the situation and create distance while using less-lethal force options that proved ineffective. During the incident, the suspect gained access to an unoccupied patrol vehicle and fled the area.

Officers pursued the vehicle and disabled it near the intersection of Meachem Avenue and Kedzie Court. The suspect exited the vehicle while still armed with a hammer, and a standoff followed.

Officers used verbal negotiation and were ultimately able to convince the suspect to drop the hammer and surrender. He was taken into custody without further incident.

The suspect sustained minor injuries related to the use of less-lethal force and was treated at Bronson Battle Creek before being lodged at the Calhoun County Jail.

“Monday night, a man made the decision that he would rather die than surrender. Despite that, our officers remained committed to bringing the situation to a safe resolution,” said Battle Creek Police Chief Shannon Bagley. “I am proud of the restraint, professionalism and discipline they demonstrated throughout a tense, dangerous situation. Their actions resulted in the suspect being taken into custody without the use of deadly force.”

Bagley said the department will review the incident in its entirety, as it does following any critical incident.

“While no incident is perfect, we will review our response and conduct any additional training needed to ensure we continue improving our service to the community,” he said.

A Battle Creek police officer was also injured in a vehicle crash related to the incident. The officer was treated and released from Bronson Battle Creek.

The suspect is being held with charges that include attempted breaking and entering, possession of burglary tools, fleeing and eluding, theft of a patrol vehicle, destruction of police property, resisting arrest, and aggravated assault of a police officer.

The incident remains under investigation.