Barricaded suspect in downtown Colorado Springs taken into custody

Abbey Soukup, The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Updated ·1 min read

Apr. 18—A man has been arrested after barricading himself and setting 'boobytraps' in a downtown Colorado Springs building early Tuesday afternoon, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department.

Police reported the incident through social media at 1 p.m. Tuesday requesting the public to stay away from the 100 block of Weber Street.

The incident resolved at 3:15 p.m. with 60-year-old Patrick Hibler being taken into custody on the charges of arson in the 4th degree, burglary in the 2nd degree, and criminal tampering.

According to CSPD spokesperson Robert Tornabene, Hibler had set up 'makeshift boobytraps' throughout the building, causing difficulties for law enforcement in contacting the fugitive.

"He (Hibler) used pieces of wire to connect electrical sockets with metal objects to deter entry into certain areas of the building. That is what took time for our officers to get in the building, we did not want to have anyone hurt from an electrical charge," Tornabene said.

According to Tornabene, Colorado Springs Utilities shut off the buildings power, making it possible for police to safely enter the building.