SOUTH PORTLAND — A person who had been barricaded in an apartment on Route 1 was taken into custody by police shortly after 7 p.m. Friday, ending a 2½-hour standoff that began when the Southern Maine Regional SWAT Team executed a “high-risk” search warrant.

The person was transported to Maine Medical Center with undisclosed injuries, South Portland Fire Capt. Robb Couture said.

Multiple emergency vehicles and numerous personnel gather at the scene where a person is barricaded in an apartment on Route 1 in South Portland on Friday. Police evacuated the Kingswood apartment complex at 757 Main St., which is Route 1, across the street from the Best Western Merry Manor Inn. Staff photo by Ray Routhier

A mobile command center was set up off Route 1 Friday during a 2½-hour standoff. Staff photo by Ray Routhier

Police evacuated all other residents of the four-story building in the Kings Wood Park apartment complex at 757 Main St., which is Route 1, to execute the search warrant around 4:30 p.m.

Police asked firefighters to stand by across the street at the Best Western Merry Manor Inn because the warrant stemmed from an investigation that indicated the apartment might contain hazardous chemicals, Couture said. He said two people were detained as a result of the search, while one person stayed in the apartment and initiated the standoff.

Police did not release the names of the people involved Friday, and did not give details on the nature of the investigation. After the standoff ended, police secured the building but did not report finding any chemicals, Couture said.

Shortly before the search, a caravan of six or seven firetrucks and police cars was seen driving slowly south on Route 1 toward the apartments. The SWAT team included officers from South Portland, Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth, plus medical personnel from Portland, Couture said.

During the search and standoff, more than a half-dozen emergency vehicles were stationed at the staging area established in the Best Western parking lot near the Maine Turnpike connector.

South Portland police cruisers blocked the two driveways that lead from Route 1 to the apartment complex, which is hidden from the road by a stand of trees. Route 1 was open to traffic during the standoff.

Fire officials said most of the people who were evacuated left in their own vehicles, but a South Portland city bus also was on hand in case any evacuees needed transportation or to stay warm.

Ray Routhier can be contacted at 791-6454 or at:

rrouthier@pressherald.com

Twitter: RayRouthier

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