Barricaded suspect captured

NWA Democrat-Gazette/FLIP PUTTHOFF Springdale police cordon off the 800 block of Gwen Street Tuesday, May 23, 2017 in Springdale. Police were investigating a suspicious vehicle outside of a vacant home on the block.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/FLIP PUTTHOFF Springdale police cordon off the 800 block of Gwen Street Tuesday, May 23, 2017 in Springdale. Police were investigating a suspicious vehicle outside of a vacant home on the block.

SPRINGDALE -- A man who evaded police capture Tuesday morning was later found hiding in an attic, police said.

Michael Simmons, 36, was arrested in connection with theft by receiving, felony possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal trespass, said Lt. Jeff Taylor with the Springdale Police Department.

Simmons was found in the attic of a residence in the 800 block of Gwen Street after police returned to the residence for a second search, Taylor said.

Police initially were called to the house at 6:20 a.m. in reference to a suspicious vehicle. Police arrived shortly after and found a vehicle outside the house that was reported stolen in Fayetteville. A vehicle description was not available, Taylor said.

Officers found an undisclosed item inside the vehicle that had the name “Michael Simmons” on it. A woman named Amy Estep came out of the house and spoke with police. Estep told police she was with Simmons and that he was inside the house, in the attic.

Police blocked off the street and set up a perimeter around the house. SWAT and a police negotiator were called to make contact with Simmons. Attempts to reach him were made by a loudspeaker, phone and through social media, but there was no response, Taylor said.

The SWAT team entered the house and searched for an undisclosed time, but could find the suspect. Taylor described the house as vacant and owned by a bank.

NW News on 05/24/2017

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