Two men in custody after four-hour standoff in Lethbridge

Lethbridge police took two men into custody Friday after a four-hour standoff with officers in the city’s southwest.

Police initially went to the home on Dalhousie Court West to execute an arrest warrant in relation to a male suspect. When they arrived, police said the man resisted arrest and produced a knife.

Officers said the man barricaded himself inside the home, along with another man, and police had reason to believe there were more weapons involved.

Members of the Critical Incident Team, including crisis negotiators, were called in to assist with the incident.

About four hours later, the men exited the house and were taken into police custody. One man was wearing only boxers and the other was in pyjamas.

During this time, residents were forced to stay in their homes, some missed work.

“We had a knock on the door, and the officer asked if he could come inside,” Amy Coates said. “One had binoculars and a radio, the other one had a large sniper rifle, set up on our kitchen table using one of the baskets the toys were in.”

“I heard a cop car pull up and then right there the cop comes out with his shot gun and he had it pointed at the house,” Thomas Bruckner said.

No one was injured in the ordeal. Charges are now pending against a 19-year-old man and a 27-year-old man.