Three men suspected of raping two women Friday night surrendered to Longmont police late last night after the Longmont SWAT team repeatedly fired tear gas into a home in an effort to flush them out.
According to Longmont Police Commander Tim Lewis, officers went to the home in the 1300 block of Collyer Street in Longmont about 10:30 p.m.
The occupants refused to exit the home after multiple requests by phone and loud speakers, Lewis said.
At that point the first in a series of chemical agents were shot into the home. The suspects still refused to surrender.
Lewis said more tear gas was fired into the home with the suspects ultimately surrendering to the SWAT team.
Lewis said the men, who are wanted for questioning in the rapes of the two women, were arrested for refusing to leave the residence when ordered, and on weapons and drug charges.
Lewis said the three men – including two brothers – went to a house party in Longmont on Friday night. The two women, ages 20 and 18, also attended and were “acquaintances” of the men, said Lewis.
During the party, police believe the two young women were drugged and incapacitated, then raped repeatedly over a two-hour time period.
Lewis said the names of the suspects are not being released. However, they are 22, 19 and 18 years of age.
He said that during the standoff, which also involved deputies from the Boulder Sheriff’s Department, the men told authorities that they were at the wrong house. Prior to the tear gas being fired, Lewis said negotiators tried to talk the men into surrendering.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
