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'It’s like something out of a movie' | Warner Robins residents react to standoff at apartment complex

Michael Erwin, 28, was arrested after a three-hour-long standoff. Witnesses say he worked at the complex.

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — A Warner Robins man is behind bars after police say he tried to break into a resident's apartment while armed Friday morning.

Michael Erwin, 28, who residents say worked at the apartments' leasing office 6080 Lakeview Road, was arrested after a three-hour standoff with police. 

He's charged with attempted burglary in the first degree, attempted home invasion in the first degree and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

"The guy who works in the leasing office, he's the maintenance guy and he's always there in the front desk," resident Arun Jallipalli said. "I talked to that guy many times regarding the maintenance thing, like asking some questions regarding gym and the pools and the maintenance in houses, but I never expected this guy will turn like this."

The incident began around 7:20 a.m. at the Hawthorne Meadowview Apartment Homes on Lakeview Road when someone called police about a man with a gun attempting to break into an apartment, according to Warner Robins Police.

When officers arrived at 7:27 a.m., they found Erwin had retreated to his own apartment in the complex. After multiple attempts to make contact failed, the Warner Robins Police Department SWAT team and Houston County Sheriff's Office Warrant Unit responded to the scene.

"I started seeing them around about 7:45 when I was taking my daughter to school," resident Elizabeth Irby said. "There was about five of them that were already here. When you're seeing like SWAT vehicles and everything, it's just your mindset is like what's really going on."

For many residents, the scene was unlike anything they'd experienced before.

Credit: 13WMAZ

"This is like some criminal minds type stuff," resident Te'ara Villarreal said. "I was like, wow, this is crazy for Warner Robins."

Villarreal, who has lived at the complex for two years, said she first noticed police activity while trying to take her daughter to school.

"I've seen a bunch of like police officers and sheriff cars out here lined up," she said.

Police obtained a warrant and made entry into Erwin's apartment. He was taken into custody at 10:39 a.m. without incident, police said. No shots were fired during the incident.

The situation left many residents rattled, particularly because Erwin was a familiar face at the complex.

"It definitely does concern me that I have a young child," Irby said. "It's really alarming to know that somebody in the neighborhood could possibly come into your apartment, and God knows whatever could happen."

Jallipalli, who has lived at the complex for about a year and a half, echoed those concerns.

"The community was a little bit secure till now. But right at this moment I was a little bit scared," he said. "He's like a familiar face to everybody in this apartment."

Police say Erwin and one of the victims, who lived in the same building, may have known each other. Investigators are still working to determine a motive for the incident.

Anyone with any additional information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Chan Pierce with the WRPD at 478-302-5380.

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