Around 6:30am on Thursday, March 31st, officers with the Grand Junction Police Department were dispatched to a report of a burglary in progress at a residence in the 1600 Block of N. 16th Street. The reporting party stated that a subject had forcefully entered the home through the front door and brandished a handgun. The occupants of the home were able to safely exit. However, a female subject along with two other subjects barricaded themselves inside the home.
Officers arrived on scene and were able to determine the identity of one of the subjects, who has active warrants for her arrest. Multiple attempts at contact were made, including phone calls and loud hails, with no response. SWAT operators with the GJPD and the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, as well as an Incident Dispatch Team with the Grand Junction Regional Communication Center, responded to assist. Drone operators with the GJPD were also deployed. A shelter in place notification was sent out to residents in the area.
A search warrant was obtained for the residence and tactical tools were used to gain compliance from the barricaded subjects. Ultimately, three people exited the home voluntarily and were detained. Two subjects were transported to the hospital by medical personnel with the Grand Junction Fire Department for suspected drug overdoses. Charges for the three subjects involved are forthcoming.
Based on statements received during the investigation into the the incident, officers believe that fentanyl may be inside the house. Two deputies with the Mesa County Sheriff's Office were transported to the hospital due to potential exposure to the highly dangerous drug. Fortunately, they are okay and have been released. Law enforcement, with assistance from the Grand Junction Fire Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency, is taking additional precautions as they secure the home to avoid dangerous exposure to anyone else in the area. Law enforcement will remain on scene and the shelter in place remains in place out of an abundance of caution.
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