BSPD arrests Rangel after SWAT standoff
As the Big Spring Herald went to press Friday, Big Spring Police had cordoned off an area in the 1300 block of Lincoln St., and reported that an individual had barricaded himself inside a house when police arrived to serve him with arrest and search warrants.
Friday morning, Big Spring Police Lieutenant Brian Gordon issued a second statement indicating that the individual, Johnny Rangel, 28, has been arrested. The complete statement follows:
“On the 23rd of February, 2023, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the Big Spring Police Department/howard County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team attempted to execute three Aggravated Robbery arrest warrants as well as a Parole Violation warrant on Johnny Rangel, White/male, 28 years of age, at 1309 Lincoln.
“Big Spring Police Department Investigators as well had a search warrant for the residence.
“Upon arrival, multiple individuals within the dwelling exited peacefully, though Rangel remained inside. After repeated attempts to negotiate Rangel out of the residence and him refusing, chemical munitions were introduced.
“At approximately 5 p.m., Rangel was found to be hiding in a crawl space under the dwelling and was extracted by the SWAT team. Rangel was taken into custody and immediately transported to Scenic Mountain Medical Center for treatment on a reported previous injury as well to be checked out due to the exposure of the chemical munitions.
“At the time of this media release Rangel continues to be in the custody of investigators at Scenic Mountain Medical Center but will later be processed into the Howard County Jail.
“The Big Spring Police Department and Howard County Sheriff's office thanks the neighbors that were inconvenienced by this incident and appreciates the hospitality offered to our officers while on scene.
“This continues to be an ongoing investigation and no further information is available at this time.”