Lakeland SWAT Takes Barricaded Suspect Into Custody. Lakeland Police Arrested Nelson Santiago, 44, On Multiple Charges Including Domestic Battery. Read About It On DailyRidge.Com
Update: suspect barricared in Westlake Apt has been arrested. pic.twitter.com/TR1sjuoPsC
— LakelandPD (@LakelandPD) December 28, 2016
Lakeland, Florida -LAKELAND, FL (December 28, 2016) – The Lakeland Police Department responded to a report of domestic violence at the Westlake Apartments, 501 Hartsell Avenue, at approximately 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 27, 2016. The victim advised officers that her boyfriend, Nelson Santiago, age 44, punched her in the face during an argument and then fled the apartment. Witnesses at the location reported seeing Santiago holding a handgun as he fled.
LPD officers, with the assistance of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, searched the area for approximately one hour but were unable to locate Santiago and cleared the scene. Approximately 30 minutes later, Lakeland Police Department received a call that Santiago had returned to the apartment. First responding officers observed Santiago in the apartment and set up a perimeter, considering him armed and dangerous.
While on scene at the standoff, officers learned that Santiago had pointed a firearm at another Westlake Apartments resident at approximately 8:45 p.m. on December 27th. According to the victim, Santiago was brandishing a long sword and a handgun, which he pointed at her, as she was driving into the complex. The victim positively identified Santiago out of a photo pack and detectives were able to secure a warrant for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
After several hours of unsuccessful attempts to convince Santiago to surrender peacefully, the SWAT team and agents with the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations responded to the scene. After no verbal response from Santiago, officers deployed chemical agents into the apartment. Within minutes Santiago attempted to flee out the front door of the apartment and was apprehended by Police K9 Valor. Santiago was transported to Lakeland Regional Health and treated for injuries sustained during the K9 apprehension. When cleared, he will be transported to Polk County Jail and booked on felony charges of Domestic Violence and Aggravated Assault.
State Fire Marshal Bomb Squad now on scene. @LakelandPD says they will use their robot to enter the apartment. @FOX13News pic.twitter.com/PRZh6GcSt0
— Lucas Bogg (@LucasBoggPhotog) December 28, 2016
