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Man set home on fire, walked to neighbors house and held them hostage

The investigation revealed Kunzie initiated the fire at his residence on Wolf Hollow Road, then traveled to his neighbors on Hulda Drive.

JEFFERSON CO., Mo. – An Imperial man has been charged after setting his home on fire and taking his neighbors hostage.

Police were called to the 1100 block of Wolf Hollow Road for a residential fire around 6:50 a.m. on Wednesday. Before officers arrived, they received a call from 45-year-old Kylie Kunzie who stated he was at a nearby residence in the 6000 block of Hulda Drive and was holding two people hostage.

Once on scene, police saw Kunzie holding a kitchen knife to a man, a deputy began speaking to him and negotiated the release of a woman who was also being held hostage. Kunzie exited the home onto the front porch and was still holding the knife to the man. The deputy seized brief opportunity and grasped the victim by his wrist and pulled him away from Kunzie.

Kunzie ran back into the home and negotiations continued. He was seen with a rifle inside the home. After several minutes, Kunzie surrendered to deputies and was taken into custody without incident.

The investigation revealed Kunzie initiated the fire at his residence on Wolf Hollow Road, then traveled to his neighbors on Hulda Drive. Kunzie and the victims are familiar with one another, and initially allowed him access to the residence to use their telephone.

Kunzie is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond. Jefferson County applied charges for second-degree arson, two counts of armed criminal action and two counts of kidnapping.

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