Fountain assault suspect arrested after lengthy standoff, previously wanted in Larimer County

FOUNTAIN, Colo. (KRDO) - A suspect previously wanted on a kidnapping charge refused to come out of a Fountain home for more than five hours on Wednesday, after allegedly assaulting another man.

The Fountain Police Department (FPD) tells KRDO that just before noon, a man reported being assaulted inside a home in the 300 block of North Main Street.

Officers responded to the home to confront the suspect, believed to be 41-year-old David Steward Jr., who was wanted out of Larimer County for failing to appear in court to face a kidnapping charge. The below mugshot, was taken after Stewarts booking in Larimer County in late June.

A shelter-in-place was issued by 12:30 p.m. for everyone within a quarter-mile radius of the apartment on North Main Street.

"This is such a quiet little town. I can't imagine [this]." said Lorelei Crosser, who watched police pour into her "sleepy" neighborhood on Wednesday from her small violin shop.

FPD says members of their Rapid Response Team (RRT) responded to take over the situation. A heavily armored truck could be seen pulled up in front of the apartment unit, along with many Fountain Police, and fire vehicles.

"I look down at my phone, I see SWAT is here, I'm like something is happening." explained Aaron Abner, who lives across the street from Stewarts apartment, and watched the tense scene unfold from his doorbell camera while at work.

"I started able to see like fire go off and I could hear the officer over the P.A. giving him chances to come out." he added, while his mother was in the house.

After approximately five hours of negotiations, Stewart was taken into custody.

A police spokesperson said Stewart will be booked into the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center on his outstanding felony warrant as well as new felony assault charges.

There was no update Thursday evening on the condition of the victim who was assaulted.