Police catch teen suspect hiding in attic during incident that caused shelter-in-place order

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A shelter-in-place has been lifted for residents north of Oldfarm Circle West and south of Sunset Ridge Drive between Silo Ridge and Copernicus Way.

The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) originally issued the order around 4:30 p.m. for law enforcement activity near 5100 Eros Way. They asked people to secure their homes and businesses and stay away from doors and windows.

Information from CSPD on Thursday says that around 3 p.m., a detective with the Fountain Police Department's (FPD) Directed Investigations Community Engagement (DICE) Unit received information about a 15-year-old male being investigated for attempted armed robbery and motor vehicle theft.

CSPD says the information showed the suspect walking around 5100 Eros Way, so FPD contacted CSPD tactical teams. CSPD then asked for help from the Real Time Crime Center's drone, who was able to locate a male walking around before climbing into a basement window of a home in the area.

According to officials, CSPD tactical teams along with a K9 surrounded the house and tried to contact the occupants, who weren't home. CSPD says they made announcements for the suspect to leave the home but he refused. At one point, he attempted to leave the home but was confronted and went back inside.

CSPD says detectives eventually acquired a search warrant for the house and an arrest warrant for the suspect. Using a drone and robot, CSPD cleared the inside of the house but didn't find the suspect. Eventually, the K9 on scene entered and used a locating tool to take officers up to the attic, where CSPD says they found evidence someone had been up there recently.

Officers opened the attic and tried to convince the suspect to come out; when that didn't work, chemical munitions were sent into the attic. That is when CSPD says the suspect eventually came out of the attic and was taken into custody.

He was seen by medical personnel and released to DICE detectives. According to officials, he is now facing charges of:

• Attempted aggravated robbery
• Attempted aggravated motor vehicle theft
• Menacing with a deadly weapon
• Possession of a handgun by a juvenile
• Obstructing government operations

He was booked into a juvenile detention center, according to CSPD. The shelter-in-place order was lifted shortly before 7 p.m.

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