Columbia Police respond to climber on power plant tower

At about 6:25 a.m. on July 29, Columbia police and fire responded to the Municipal Power Plant at 1501 Business Loop 70 East. Responders observed a man throwing items out of the tower window, as well as leaning out and waving his arms.

Video footage shows the man jumping the fence and climbing the South tower directly into the structure.

Officers attempted communications via loudspeaker for about two hours. The man eventually surrendered and exited the structure. No critical infrastructure was damaged, and there were no injuries. Police worked closely with the Columbia Fire Department to resolve the situation.

Richard Dean Nichols, 33, of Columbia, was arrested and charged with burglary in the second-degree, property damage in the second-degree and resisting arrest.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Columbia Police Department at 573.874.7652. To provide information without leaving your name or number, call CrimeStoppers at 573.875.8477 or visit http://www.p3tips.com/899. If you provide information to CrimeStoppers that leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,500.

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To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.