LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
Las Vegas Metro police have a robbery suspect, who barricaded himself from officers, in custody.
Police closed a lengthy stretch of Boulder Highway on Thursday during a standoff with the suspect, identified as Devon Cooper, at an apartment complex near the Boulder Station Hotel and Casino. The standoff began at about 9 a.m. at the Sandhill Apartments near Sandhill Road and Vegas Valley Drive.
According to police, officers entered the apartment at about 11:45 a.m. and arrested the man. "He was taken into custody without significant injury," said Officer Bill Cassell.
Police said the suspect, who was wanted in connection with a large retail store robbery on Tuesday night, barricaded himself inside the unit when he saw officers surrounding the complex.
The suspect's girlfriend, identified as Christine Gulick, was arrested after leaving the apartment, according to police.
Residents living in and nearby the Sandhill Apartments were shocked at how many police descended on the area. "I was walking towards my apartment, and a police officer with a shotgun came to me and said, 'It's not worth your life, you're not going over there,'" said Stephanie Farran, who lives in the building where it all went down.
Authorities closed Boulder Highway between U.S. 95 and Lamb Boulevard and off ramps from the freeway. Police reopened the roadways shortly after the standoff ended.
As for charges, "He faces possession of a stolen vehicle, battery on a police officer with substantial bodily harm and destruction of property of another," said Cassell.
Gulick was charged with battery on a police officer with a deadly weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a controlled substance, evading a police officer and malicious destruction of private property, according to Cassell. More charges are pending.
Cooper, who is described by Metro as "violent" and as having an extensive criminal history, allegedly began his latest crime spree on Saturday, March 31. Police say he was spotted attempting to burglarize a department store in the northwest part of the valley.
Cooper and Gulick were observed fleeing in a stolen pickup by security officers before police arrived.
On Sunday, Apr. 1, Copper is believed to have driven a stolen motorcycle found in downtown Las Vegas. Cooper fled, but Gulick, who had been the passenger, was arrested for possession of burglary tools and carrying a concealed weapon.
On Monday, Apr. 2, police attempted to stop a stolen pickup truck believed to have been driven by Cooper in the northwest valley.
On Tuesday afternoon, Cooper and Gulick, who had been released from jail earlier that day, were observed driving what is believed to have been a stolen pickup truck near Lake Mead Boulevard and Walnut Road.
When police attempted to take them into custody, Cooper allegedly rammed three Metro vehicles before fleeing in the truck. The stolen truck was located a short distance away.
Copyright 2012 KVVU (KVVU Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.
Metro police surrounding the scene (Courtesy: Les Krifaton/FOX5)
Devon Cooper. (LVMPD)
Christine Gulick. (LVMPD)
(Courtesy: Les Krifaton/FOX5)
