Kalkaska man allegedly assaults deputies, starts house on fire

EXCELSIOR TWP. – A Kalkaska man is facing charges of arson, assault and destruction of police property after allegedly throwing a variety of objects, including a car jack, at Kalkaska County Sheriff’s Department deputies and then setting an Excelsior Township residence on fire shortly before 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 7.

Law enforcement officers from the KCSD and Michigan Department of Natural Resources responded to a call from another township resident, who stated that they had overheard a neighbor threatening to burn down the rental home he lived in.

“The initial responding deputies were met by a deranged individual who became verbally aggressive towards them and was brandishing a pipe and threatening to pull the firearm he had concealed in his pocket,” said Undersheriff David Wagner II in a prepared statement.

“The male subject began throwing metal objects at the deputies, who retreated behind their patrol vehicles,” Wagner added. “One of the objects, a car jack, smashed through the windshield of one of the patrol vehicles.”

According to KCSD reports, deputies continued attempts to talk to the subject but that the individual retreated back into the residence and barricaded the door.

And, as more law enforcement arrived at the scene and surrounded the residence, the subject allegedly set the residence on fire, as smoke and flames became visible.

“The subject then exited the residence still armed with a large metal object,” Wagner reported. “The officers on scene were able to get behind the male and were able to use a Taser on him.”

Brian Muma, 29, was arrested and taken into custody and later transported to the Kalkaska Memorial Health Center for mental evaluations. No injuries were reported.

Muma is currently lodged at the Kalkaska County Jail, after being arraigned Monday, April 8 in 87-B District Court on felony charges of first-degree arson and malicious destruction of fire or police property. Bond was set at $50,000 cash/surety.

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