Barricade over; suspect in custody for aggravated assault, domestic violence

A man in his 30s was taken into custody on suspicion of aggravated assault and domestic violence Thursday about 9:45 p.m. after barricading himself for hours in a house in Rancho El Dorado, Maricopa police said.

He came out of the home in the 43000 block of Courtney Drive on his own and was taken into custody without incident. Police originally responded to a domestic disturbance call that came in at 5 p.m.

Police spokesman Ricky Alvarado said the man earlier in the day injured his girlfriend in the neck, although he did not say how.

“We have been here before for other calls for service,” Alvarado said of the residence.

Pinal County Sheriff’s SWAT negotiators talked to the suspect throughout the evening on his cellphone.

Pinal County animal control removed dogs from the house, and investigators were still examining the premises at 10:15 p.m.

Earlier in the evening, traffic was diverted from Courtney Drive as police talked to a man, who was alone in the house. While the incident unfolded, it was not known if the barricaded suspect had any weapons.

Maricopa Fire Battalion Chief John Pantoja said his department was standing by. Neighbors could be seen watching the action from their driveways.