Lakewood – An Adams County Jail inmate who escaped last month by using another inmate’s identification is back in custody after surrendering to police early Tuesday.
Steven Mathew Rodriguez, 32, was apprehended after an almost seven-hour standoff at an apartment complex near West Sixth Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard. At one point, police shot balls of pepper spray into an apartment in an effort to force Rodriguez into the open.
Rodriguez, who is a “person of interest” in a Denver double homicide, was finally coaxed out of the apartment by an Adams County officer who was assigned to track down Rodriguez after he escaped, authorities said.
Rodriguez was wanted for escape, forgery and criminal impersonation.
Adams County officials are still investigating how Rodri guez was able to slip out of the jail about 4 p.m. Feb. 24. He used the identification card of a fellow inmate who was scheduled to be released on bond.
“We definitely have to look at our policies to make sure this doesn’t happen again,” said Sgt. Louis Dixon, spokesman for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.
Meanwhile, officials are relieved Rodriguez is back behind bars.
Rodriguez has convictions for arson, burglary and domestic violence. He also was charged with sexual assault Jan. 1 in Commerce City.
A tipster recognized Rodri guez’s photo from images shown on local media outlets and told police the escapee was at the apartment, said Stacy Oulton, Lakewood Police Department spokeswoman.
Police arrived at the scene about 6 p.m. Monday. Three other people were inside the apartment, Oulton said.
Officers knocked on the door and shouted at the occupants to come out, but no one responded, Oulton said. SWAT team members also surrounded the apartment.
Rodriguez surrendered about 12:45 a.m. The three other occupants – two women and a man – were arrested for aiding an escapee and failing to leave a premise after being ordered to by police, Oulton said.
In addition, the man was arrested on a felony warrant of first-degree criminal trespass.
Staff writer Monte Whaley can be reached at 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com.
