Yuma police seek suspect during standoff

Officers surround residence, send out warnings

A man who had a warrant out for his arrest refused to follow commands by Yuma police officers from the Special Enforcement Team (SET) to come out of a townhouse where he was believed to be hiding, creating a several-hour long standoff on Wednesday.

According to Sgt. Lori Franklin, the incident began shortly after 2 p.m. at a residence in the 1700 block of S. Crowder Avenue, and YPD was assisting the U.S. Marshals Service to apprehend the suspect.

Throughout the incident, “Yuma police! We have a search warrant!” was audible over a long range acoustic device mounted to the SET armored vehicle parked in front of a residence. More than a dozen officers wearing tactical gear also surrounded the home.

As a precaution, neighboring residents were evacuated and Crowder Avenue was closed off to traffic between 16th Place and 17th Street.

The hostage negotiator on the loudspeaker could be heard repeatedly telling an individual by the name of “Dennis Luna,” to come out the back door unarmed, with his hands up, using a long rang acoustic device mounted to the armored vehicle parked in front of a residence.

The U.S. Marshals Service was not available to comment, so the identity of the individual or the charges he which he was being sought for could not be confirmed.

Also audible were warnings telling whoever was inside that the home was surrounded, and if they did not come out a canine would be sent in, and that it would find them and bite them.

A flashbang grenade and smoke grenade were also used during the incident.

Buy these photos at YumaSun.com PHOTOS BY RANDY HOEFT/YUMA SUN ABOVE: MEMBERS OF THE Yuma Police Department’s Special Enforcement Team stand watch during an incident Wednesday afternoon at a townhome complex in the 1600 block of South Crowder Avenue. BELOW LEFT: Officers appear to be talking strategy during the incident. BELOW RIGHT: Officers prepare to go in to action at the townhome complex.