TOLEDO, OH -- A Toledo Municipal Court judge set bond at $2 million for Michael Swiergosz at a Wednesday arraignment following a hostage stand off with authorities at the Sunset Retirement Community in Ottawa Hills on Tuesday afternoon.
Swiergosz was charged with two counts of felonious assault and two counts of kidnapping. The judge ordered bond at $500,000 for each count.
Police say Swiergosz entered the Sunset Retirement Community shortly after 11 a.m. Tuesday and took his estrange wife, Barbara, hostage. He struck her with a crowbar on the head and and held her at gunpoint for nearly six hours. Mr.. Swiergosz held his estranged wife in a vacant building in the back of the facility while a SWAT Team and negotiators attempted to gain her release. The incident ended peacefully with she was allowed to walk out of the building. He surrendered to authorities a short time later.
Tuesday's incident was Mr.. Swiergosz's second stand off with authorities. On March 10, Lucas County Sheriff's Deputies were called to 111 Hidden Meadow Drive in Holland on a domestic violence call. After arriving on the scene officials say they saw a man with a gun run back into the home. The incident started around 8:45 a.m. and ended peacefully around noon. In that case, officials say Swiergosz's wife was able to flee the home unharmed during the standoff. Swiergosz was taken into custody after emerging from his home.
Swiergorsz was arraigned last week in Lucas County Court where he pleaded not guilty to two counts of felonious assault. Judge Denise Ann Dartt set a $25,000 bond and ordered no contact with the victim. Swiegosz posted bond and was released. Judge Dartt set a June 10 trial date. Swiergosz faces 16 years in prison if convicted. Tuesday, after news of the incident, Judge Dartt revoked Swiergosz's bond. She set a new bond of $500,000 and alerted the Lucas County Sheriff's Department.
Swiergosz and his wife are in the process of getting a divorce, according to documents filed in Lucas County court.
The two incidents may have prompted by financial difficulties. The home at 111 Hidden Meadows Drive in Holland is in foreclosure and is scheduled for a Lucas County Sheriff Sale on May 13, 2009.
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