A local man was finally taken into custody early last Wednesday afternoon after he barricaded himself inside a Columbia residence as part of a several-hour standoff with police.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department said that at about 12:30 a.m. Aug. 27, deputies responded to a home in the 1800 block of Meadow Court off Gilmore Lake Road for the report of a stolen firearm from the residence. 

“Upon arrival, deputies encountered the suspect inside the home’s basement,” the MCSD news release stated. “The subject refused to comply with commands, barricaded himself inside, and made threats toward law enforcement.”

This led to a standoff situation that involved assistance from an Illinois State Police SWAT team as well as Columbia and Waterloo police, Columbia EMS and the Columbia Fire Department. 

The MCSD issued an alert shortly after 7 a.m. for residents near Meadow Court to avoid the area due to a large police presence as negotiations with the subject were ongoing. 

At approximately 12:05 p.m., the MCSD reported this barricaded subject was safely taken into custody without injury. 

“No first responders were injured,”  the MCSD stressed. “Columbia Fire/EMS were staged in the area and evaluated the individual as a precaution before transport to the custody of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.”

The MCSD said in a Thursday news release that deputies had learned the homeowners had discovered their son, Jared M. Franke, 26, of Columbia, had stolen a firearm from the residence early last Wednesday morning. Deputies further learned Franke had departed the home in a vehicle that did not belong to him or his family. 

“Due to Franke’s prior criminal history, possible narcotics use, and the fact that he was believed to be armed with a stolen firearm, deputies immediately alerted surrounding law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for the vehicle,” the MCSD release stated.

Family members then notified deputies that Franke had returned to their residence on Meadow Court. Deputies responded and learned Franke had parked the vehicle behind the home and was barricaded in the basement. 

“Upon attempting to make contact, deputies were met with violent resistance as Franke threw knives, pool balls, and at one point, even multiple shotguns at them,” the MCSD release states. “Deputies also had reason to believe that Franke had access to additional firearms inside the basement.”

A perimeter was established at that point, and negotiations were initiated in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. 

Throughout the incident, deputies relied on crisis intervention training to manage the unfolding standoff.

“During the course of the standoff and subsequent search, numerous firearms, knives and ammunition were recovered and taken into possession by MCSD investigators – including a stolen Ruger .22 caliber handgun,” police said. “Additional evidence was seized and processed on scene.”

Franke was charged in Monroe County Circuit Court with three counts of felon in possession of a weapon (firearm, two knives), theft, possession of a stolen firearm, aggravated assault of a peace officer and resisting arrest.

Appearing in court Thursday, Franke was ordered to undergo a psychological analysis by Dr. Daniel Cuneo to determine “fitness” to stand trial.

A fitness hearing is scheduled for this Friday.

If convicted, the felony charges against Franke carry potential sentences ranging from 2-10 years in prison, depending on offense. 

“The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department extends its gratitude to the Columbia Police Department, Waterloo Police Department, Illinois State Police SWAT Team, Columbia Fire Department, Columbia EMS, and Monroe County Dispatchers for their assistance,” the MCSD release stated. “We would also like to thank the parents of Mr. Franke for working closely with deputies throughout the incident, as their cooperation helped ensure a safe and peaceful resolution.”

Monroe County Sheriff Neal Rohlfing stated: “We are grateful that this dangerous situation was resolved without injury to Mr. Franke, the responding officers, or members of the public. This outcome is a direct reflection of the professionalism, patience, and teamwork displayed by all agencies involved.”

Franke remains in custody at the Monroe County Jail.

Franke’s history with local police dates back several years.

In 2018, he was placed on probation and ordered to undergo psychological treatment following multiple incidents in Columbia that resulted in him being ordered to wear an electronic monitoring device and prohibited from coming into contact with multiple local families and entering school grounds.

Franke was charged with felony stalking following an incident in the Country Crossings subdivision, after which he wrote a letter from the Monroe County Jail containing language indicating he would “shoot up” a venue, later identifying Columbia High School specifically as a target.

Prior to that stalking incident, Franke was arrested on Halloween after he allegedly chased several young trick-or-treaters while wearing a clown costume and carrying a steak knife in the same subdivision.

In late 2022, Franke was charged with felony obstruction of justice after allegedly refusing to submit to a chemical test as mandated through a warrant.

He was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm within five years of being in a mental institution and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in a vehicle without FOID.

During an evening traffic stop in Columbia, police said Franke was not alert when approached by the officer and refused to submit to a drug test at the scene.

Police obtained a court ordered warrant to have Franke tested, and he was transported to Red Bud Regional Hospital for testing. Franke continued to refuse testing at this point, police said, resulting in him being taken to the Monroe County Jail. 

Police recovered a loaded Ruger .22 caliber revolver under the driver’s seat of Franke’s vehicle during the stop, and a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun with shells was found in his trunk.

In addition to the obstruction and weapons charges, Franke was charged with DUI (drugs) and no insurance.  

An armed violence charge was added because Franke was armed with a dangerous weapon while also in possession of methamphetamine.

For prior articles on Franke’s criminal behavior, click here.