OTTUMWA — The Ottumwa Police Department has released additional information about those involved in Wednesday's standoff.
Keith Edward Hewitt, 26, Ottumwa, was arrested during the standoff as he attempted to escape from the home at 337 N. Hancock Street. He had warrants for driving while barred, prevention of apprehension and harassment of a public official. He was also charged with interference with official acts.
Hewitt was caught after a short foot chase and is being held on $4,600 bond in the Wapello County Jail.
The search of the property, completed at 2:30 a.m., uncovered items stolen on Tuesday during a burglary in rural Wapello County. That property has been seized and the investigation is ongoing. Police anticipate additional arrests.
Authorities have released no additional information about the identity of a second suspect they initially believed was in the home, though they now say there was no one else present with outstanding warrants.
Original story:
An hours-long standoff ended in one arrest and one suspect at large Wednesday night.
The Ottumwa Police Department received a report of a fire at a house at the intersection of Hobson and Hancock Streets at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
After Ottumwa firefighters responded, they requested assistance from the OPD and upon arrival, they found a disoriented female and a weapon and drug paraphernalia on the property, said Police Lt. Tom McAndrew.
“Police had reason to believe there were two felons possibly in possession of firearms inside the house,” McAndrew said. “At that point, they set up a perimeter and applied for a search warrant.”
After approximately one hour, the emergency response team gathered and a subject tried to escape from the house. The subject was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit.
Once the officers obtained a search warrant, the emergency response team made entry into the house at approximately 8:30 p.m. and determined there was no one inside the residence.
Officers began to execute their search warrant on the house at approximately 9 p.m. and McAndrew said they would likely be there all night.
“One subject we thought was possibly in the house was not in there,” McAndrew said. “There are warrants for his arrest. We’ll be releasing information later when everything calms down.”
Police are not releasing the names of those involved at this time.
The Ottumwa Police Department and its emergency response team, the Ottumwa Fire Department and the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office all responded to the investigation.
“Based on what we saw when we made entry, we’re probably going to be working on cases from the county,” McAndrew said of the sheriff’s department’s involvement.
He said the public should not be concerned since “the subject we were concerned about was caught and is being held in jail.”
