Fugitive surrenders after SWAT uses tear gas at Millcreek home


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MILLCREEK — A man with an extensive criminal history who police say has been hostile toward officers in the past was arrested early Tuesday following a standoff with the Unified Police Department SWAT team.

Bobby Dean Cowell, 35, of Murray, had several outstanding warrants for his arrest, including for probation violation, said Unified Police Lt. Lex Bell. An officer happened to spot Cowell about 10:20 p.m. Monday near a house at 4591 S. 700 East. Cowell then ran into the home.

"Not wanting to walk into an ambush situation, they opted to surround the home and call him out," Bell said.

Several backup officers surrounded the house as others went to the door and asked him to surrender. Someone else answered the door and said Cowell refused to come out, Bell said.

Because of his history with Unified police officers and the fear that there were weapons inside the house, Bell said the SWAT team was called about midnight.

Others who were in the house voluntarily exited, he said. They told officers Cowell was barricaded in the attic and there were weapons in the house, Bell said.

After a couple hours of failed negotiations to prompt Cowell to surrender, the SWAT team fired tear gas and pepper spray rounds into the attic. A few minutes later, at 2:34 a.m., Cowell surrendered without further incident, Bell said.

According to Utah court records, Cowell was charged with theft by receiving stolen property and fleeing from police in August and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was charged with possession of a firearm by a restricted person, criminal mischief and domestic violence in front of a child in July, and another warrant was issued for his arrest, according to court records.

Cowell pleaded guilty in 2014 to theft by receiving stolen property and was placed on probation, but later had a warrant issued for his arrest for probation violation, according to court records.

Cowell was previously convicted of felony drug possession and attempted theft by receiving stolen property in 2005.

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