[code_duck]

SWAT are trained and equipped to do a siege. Cut off the utilities. Wait it out. What's the guy going to do?

If you read the articles, yes, it was triggered from a shoplifting incident.

[mythrwy]

I wonder which comes out to less money, blowing up a 670K house or paying doughnut munching overtime round the clock for 3 1/2 weeks?

Well, given that they don't have to pay for the house it's a actually a no brainer! (That should probably be fixed).