SWAT Team Deployed in Fort Collins Standoff Tuesday

The Larimer County Regional SWAT Team was deployed in Fort Collins on Tuesday when a man locked himself in a bathroom of a business and initially refused commands from law enforcement.

The suspect identified as 18-year-old Giovanni Lopez-Chavez was later taken into custody without further incident, according to a Larimer County Sheriff's Office press release. He was booked into the Larimer County Jail on three counts: felony burglary, felony criminal impersonation and misdemeanor obstructing a peace officer.

The incident began around noon when the Larimer County Sheriff's Office responded to a complaint about a transient male harassing people at a playground in unincorporated Larimer County. When contacted by authorities, Lopez-Chavez allegedly provided false information about his identity — a felony warrant had been previously issued for his arrest by Fort Collins Police Services.

When authorities learned of his real identity and attempted to contact him again, Lopez-Chavez fled on foot.

Deputies pursued Lopez-Chavez until he briefly barricaded himself in a business on the 1700 block of East Mulberry. The Larimer County Regional SWAT Team and Fort Collins Police were then deployed.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or any crime is asked to call Larimer County Sheriff’s Office at 970-416-1985 or Crime Stoppers at 970-221-6868 where you will remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a cash reward.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty. An arrest is merely an accusation by law enforcement.