Pikesville, USA - Neighbors say police and FBI agents raided a SIST property in Pikesville, Maryland on Wednesday.
SIST, or the Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology, is a secretive group that has been based in Shawano since the 1970's. The group claims to be a non-profit organization that supports educational programs. Former members, however, claim SIST is a religious sect lead by a man known as Rama Behera.
Behera, also known as Dr. Avrahem Cohen, has listed his home address on the 3700 block of Michelle Way in Pikesville, Maryland.
Manny Perlman, a neighbor, tells FOX 11 that a swat team entered the property around 10 a.m. CST. He reported hearing an explosion just moments before.
Robert McCullough, a lieutenant with the Baltimore County Police Department, said police were first called to the scene Tuesday night. McCullough said officers found a woman who had been injured in a "serious assault." She was transported away from the scene in an ambulance but police say she is expected to live.
Perlman said authorities then returned to the scene early Wednesday morning.
"Around 4 a.m., apparently SWAT teams came here and blocked the exit and entrance to our street here," said Perlman
Perlman videotaped the situation as it was unfolding. He says authorities were trying to talk someone out of the house.
"They were telling them that they want them to be safe," he said.
Police told the FOX affiliate in Baltimore that no one was inside the house when they went in, but at some point a male suspect was taken into custody for questioning. It is not known if it is SIST's leader, Rama Behera.
FOX 11's calls to the Baltimore County Police Department have not yet been returned.
In November 2008, Shawano law enforcement officials connected SIST to a hit list with 60 names on it. The list was titled "red rum" or 'murder' spelled backwards. The list included names of Shawano city and county officials, including Shawano Mayor Lorna Marquardt and Shawano Police Chief Ed Whealon. No charges were filed and SIST has denied any connection to the list.
Whealon tells FOX 11 he has been in contact with authorities from various agencies in Baltimore. Whealon would not say what role the Shawano Police Department is playing in the investigation.