LONGMONT — A SWAT team used tear gas to flush out a Longmont man and the woman he was holding hostage after a five-hour standoff Sunday.
Authorities say the suspect, 30-year-old Alberto Guzman, has a criminal history, including domestic abuse and weapons charges. He was out on bond from a previous accusation of domestic violence against the woman he held hostage Sunday, officials said.
Sgt. Tim Lewis of the Longmont Police Department said the woman, identified as Tina Muniz-Gomez, had a permanent protection order against the man.
“He’s not supposed to be there, and we don’t know yet why he is” there, Lewis said by phone shortly before officers flushed out the man at 2:25 p.m.
Authorities had evacuated about 15 homes nearby. Residents were allowed to return at 3:30 p.m.
Neighbors called police to the home at 9 Sherman Court about 9 a.m. when they heard loud, possibly violent argument inside the home.
When police arrived the woman would not come to the door, and the man could be seen inside but would not come to the door.
“The woman has always been cooperative with law enforcement in the past” during previous domestic-violence calls to the home, Lewis said.
About 35 SWAT officers and Boulder County sheriff’s deputies evacuated neighbors and surrounded the home.
Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com
