Longmont Police were called on Saturday after a 57-year-old man allegedly shoplifted some items from the Walmart located at 2285 Ken Pratt Blvd. The man barricaded himself in his vehicle causing the police to use less-lethal measures.
The unidentified man was contacted by police around 10:17 a.m. on Saturday. Police soon learned that he had a felony warrant for his arrest.
Unable to coax the man from his vehicle, police used oleoresin capsicum powder “to encourage the suspect to surrender,” a news release from the Longmont Police Department stated.
Oleoresin capsicum is used to make pepper spray and can cause burning, itching, dryness, pain, redness and swelling at the application site.
Around 11:35 a.m., police broke a side window in the man’s car. Afterward, the suspect exited the vehicle and was taken into custody without further incident, according to LPD.
The man was transported to a nearby hospital because oleoresin capsicum powder was used. He obtained medical clearance and was taken to Weld County Jail.
He was charged with theft, harassment and obstruction, all misdemeanors, for the incident at Walmart, the news release stated.
"The officers showed great restraint and handled this potentially hazardous situation without harming the public or the suspect,” said Police Chief Jeff Satur.
