MSU Police: Wells Hall was evacuated for criminal activity, man charged with meth offense

The largest academic building at Michigan State University was closed during finals week to deal with suspected ‘criminal activity’ property damage and university police said they’ve charged a man with a meth offense.

A 31-year-old man was arraigned Wednesday around 5 p.m. and is being held at the Ingham County Jail on a $500,000 bond, according statement released Wednesday evening from Michigan State University’s Department of Police and Public Safety.

The man is charged with “malicious destruction of a building over $20,000 and felony controlled substance-operate/maintain lab involving methamphetamine,” according to police. 

The statement said “the damage to the building is directly related to alleged criminal activity.”

The statement does not identify whether the man charged is affiliated with the university. The statement says police began investigating property damage reports and identified a suspect and officers contacted the man Sunday inside Wells Hall. The man had several commonly available substances.

“Multiple tests performed by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety confirm the environment in Wells Hall does not pose a risk to our community,” according to the statement signed by MSU Police Chief Mike Yankowski.

The building was closed on Monday, with a reopening date pushed back. The latest university police statement says Wells Hall will remain closed through Friday, May 1. Officials will continue to evaulate whether the building is safe for occupancy.