SWAT team called after man barricaded himself in apartment

COLUMBIA — The investigation of an unrelated case led to the arrest Monday afternoon of Marquis Oscar King, 27, on suspicion of a felony parole violation.

A Columbia Police Department detective was in the Hyde Park area on another matter when he ran the license plate of a car that had been reported stolen, Columbia police Lt. Scott Young said.

While talking to a woman about the car, the officer noticed a suspicious reaction from her boyfriend, police said, adding that he barricaded himself inside an apartment after seeing the police.

Attempts to contact the man by phone or get him to open the door were unsuccessful. Officers then identified the subject and learned of an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

At that time, the officers called for assistance, Young said. Four SWAT team members responded.

King exited the apartment and surrendered before police took further action.

“It could have gotten worse,” Young said. “Since he came out and gave up, it wound up being pretty easy.”

In the apartment, officers found evidence that King had attempted to barricade the door.

Young said the discovery of King happened by chance.

“The stolen car turned out to be his girlfriend’s,” he said. “It was her car, and she had just never reported it recovered.”