A Dodge Caravan with an alleged armed suspect inside in the east side of Livingston WalMart is surrounded by local law enforcement.
Lengthy Pursuit Ends in Standoff in WalMart Parking Lot, LIVINGSTON, February 10, 2020 - At approximately 1:25 am on February 10, 2020, Corporal Austin McCracken, with the Polk County Sheriff's Office attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle off FM-2457 near FM-3126. The vehicle, a gray Dodge Caravan was being driven by Ronnie Grindstaff, 33, of Goodrich. Grindstaff decided to evade and a lengthy pursuit ensued. The pursuit proceeded down multiple roads in the Blanchard area, then led to the south end of Livingston, and eventually into the Livingston WalMart Parking Lot. Grindstaff pulled the vehicle to a parking space in the east side of the parking lot. Law enforcement vehicles with the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Livingston Police Department, and Onalaska Police Department surrounded the suspect vehicle. Grindstaff refused to exit his vehicle and was allegedly armed with a firearm (which severely worsens the situation, given Grindstaff's apparent mental instability). Grindstaff alluded to aliens that were telling him to kill himself. Sergeant William Land with the Polk County Sheriff's Office used a pa system and also a cell phone to communicate with Grindstaff and coax Grindstaff from his vehicle. Chief Deputy Byron Lyons arrived and was finally able to gently persuade Grindstaff to peacefully surrender. Grindstaff was cuffed and taken into custody with no further incident. Grindstaff's vehicle allegedly has illegal drugs inside and other illegal items. Grindstaff's vehicle was towed to the Polk County Sheriff's Office for a vehicle search.
After approximately 2 hours, 33 year old Ronnie Grindstaff, of Goodrich, complied and showed his hands as he slowly exited his vehicle.
Grindstaff was cuffed and transported to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
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