Man accused of using toddler as shield in Greeley

Investigators say an alleged gang member used a toddler as a shield as police officers pointed their guns at him in Greeley.

The standoff happened Saturday at the apartment of Michael Mendez’s ex-wife. According to an arrest affidavit, the 31-year-old previously got into the apartment through a balcony door, punched her and grabbed a 10-inch kitchen knife. Police went back to the apartment on Saturday to follow up with the ex-wife and ended up finding him in a bedroom with three children.

When they entered, The Tribune reported that Mendez was holding an 18-month-child in one hand and a window frame with broken glass in the other.

A negotiator was able to get him to drop the glass and then officers grabbed the child. The toddler suffered minor injuries.