Phoenix Police Confront Robbery Suspects; House Catches Fire

PHOENIX, AZ — Police confronted two robbery suspects who barricaded themselves inside a Phoenix home after an armed robbery and, at one point, the officers had to grab fire hoses because the home caught fire, police told media outlets. Phoenix police told media outlets one suspect has surrendered but another was still in the residence, located on the 2300 block of West Windrose Lane.

Around noon Sunday, one suspect pointed a gun at a person who tried to stop them from robbing a business near Grand Avenue and Indian School Road, media outlets reported. Authorities were able to track the suspects to the home and a standoff ensued.

Sgt. Mercedes Fortune told The Associated Press multiple shots were fired from inside the home during the hours-long standoff. Officers responded with tear gas and one suspect eventually gave himself up.

At one point, the house burst into flames and police, rather than firefighters, were tasked with spraying the residence. They couldn't go inside, AP reported, and black smoke billowed out of the building Sunday night.

We heard several gunshots before swing this plume of black smoke rise from the scene. Police are trying to get an armed robbery suspect out of the home. #12News pic.twitter.com/qtZ9p5l0NV
— Ryan Cody (@RyanThomasCody) June 11, 2018

"When you have someone who is actively shooting, we're not going to send our house fire personnel in there; they have no protection like law enforcement does," she told AP.

No officers were hurt, but the scene remained "very active" early Monday, she said.

"The house is still smoldering, there is still a danger to officers," Fortune told AP.

Authorities believe the suspect is still in the home.

LISTEN: gun shots just before a fire broke out near a house where an armed robbery suspect was barricading himself from police. #12News pic.twitter.com/AO1IyBrDiT
— Ryan Cody (@RyanThomasCody) June 11, 2018

Update to barricade- And now this. We’re seeing dark some from the scene. Working to find out what happened now. pic.twitter.com/IFCOtmz7gm
— LiAna (@LiAna3TV) June 11, 2018

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