GREENWOOD VILLAGE Colo. — A standoff pushed toward 18 hours Thursday morning after an alleged armed shoplifting suspect barged into a random home while running from police Wednesday afternoon.
Police said the 30-year-old suspect broke off negotiations with them several hours before reporters on the scene reported hearing loud bangs. Police said they sent robots into the home to monitor the suspect.
Heavily armed police officers and SWAT team members from numerous agencies — including Greenwood Village, Aurora and Arapahoe County — were in the 4200 block of South Alton Street, near Interstate 225 and Yosemite Street.
Police said it started as a shoplifting incident at the Wal-Mart store on East Hampden Avenue. It turned into a chase and the suspect ran into the home on Alton.
Officers said a 9-year-old boy saw the suspect in the home and the boy was able to get out. The Greenwood Village police chief said the boy called 911 and his mother, and on advice he was able to get out of the house.
Police said they negotiated with the armed suspect via bullhorn earlier in the day. They cut off power to the house and part of the neighborhood and said the suspect has a lengthy criminal history.
They also said he demanded to talk to his sister, who was at the scene and delivered a message to him, but it did not work as far as ending the standoff.
Power was restored to the neighborhood around 10 p.m.
Police said they were determined to end the situation peacefully.
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