Police: Man arrested with meth lab chemicals in MSU building

University officials closed the largest academic building on campus after police say they arrested a 31-year-old man with ingredients for methamphetamine inside. Ingham County Sheriff’s Office records show the suspect, Xin Tong, was arrested Monday and has since been charged with maintaining or operating a meth lab and destruction of property. University officials did not confirm whether the suspect actually cooked meth, but did state that the building would remain closed to allow the flooring, doors, and carpet to be cleaned or replaced.

How did Michigan State University officials discover the situation? Michigan State University Chief of Police and Public Safety Mike Yankowski told reporters during a Wednesday press conference that campus police had been investigating property destruction days before the arrest. University officials received reports of an unknown substance on floors and doors on Thursday, before they were dispatched on the trespassing call leading to the arrest on Monday night. Police called for additional first responders to identify the unknown materials out of an abundance of caution.

The chemicals included sodium hydroxide pellets, hydrochloric acid, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, and butane, according to a Wednesday release from the university. Many of the chemicals were common household items, like rubbing alcohol and nail polish remover, that could be easily purchased in-store or online, Yankowski said.

Yankowski repeatedly stressed that he could share very few additional details and refrained from commenting on the suspect's connection to the university. Yankowski also refused to answer whether the building contained equipment to make meth or if the suspect had equipment on his person.

Tong was arraigned on Wednesday and remained in jail with a $500,000 bond, according to Ingham County records. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.