State Troopers from the Caro Post responded to an Arbela Township subdivision on Saturday, November 5, after receiving a report concerning domestic violence and possible hostages.
Troopers were dispatched to the Baker subdivision at 10:00 p.m. that night, with a third-party caller informing officers that there were two female victims being assaulted and held against their will. The caller also informed troopers that the male suspect, who was holding the women captive in his home, was armed with a gun and had threatened to kill the two women and anyone who responded to the call for help.
When they arrived, troopers were told that the suspect was believed to be outside and chasing the women, who had fled his house. Approaching the home, troopers watched the suspect dart back into the home upon seeing them, and then a few moments later, give himself up for arrest without resisting, with troopers also recovering his handgun, a .357 Glock.
Troopers later identified the man as 31-year-old Joseph Blasdell of Clio, as well as learning that the two women he had harmed were prior acquaintances of his.
Blasdell was arraigned on Tuesday, November 5 in Tuscola County District Court on one count of assault and battery, three counts of unlawful imprisonment, two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder by strangulation, interfering with electronic communications, carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent, assault with a dangerous weapon, five counts of possessions of a firearm while committing or attempting to commit a felony, domestic violence, with his bond set at $8000 cash. He remains lodged at the Tuscola County Jail.
Assisting the Caro post were members of the MSP Emergency Support Team, Flint’s Michigan State Police post, and a Tuscola County deputy.
