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Gene Kennedy ReportingA domestic disturbance in Clearfield turns into a standoff. The suspect held police at bay for more than five hours. It ended around 3:00 this morning.
A neighbor called police after seeing a man and woman arguing. When the officers arrived at the home, the two were on the front porch.
But police say 31-year-old Joe Herrera pushed his girlfriend towards police and went inside the home, refusing to cooperate with police. Officers then called SWAT.
Asst. Chief Greg Krusi Clearfield Police: "It was initially when he first went inside the home, barricaded the door..."
Herrera also gave an indication that he was suicidal.
The couples' nine-month-old baby was in the house with Herrera. The girlfriend told police she feared for her daughter's safety.
While SWAT surrounded the home, negotiators eventually got through to Herrera, persuading him to peacefully surrender, and he did. He told police he just went to the house to spend time with the little girl.
Clearfield police say Herrera never had any weapons, but drugs may have been a contributing factor to what happened here. It turns out, Herrera also had a felony theft warrant out of Weber County. Police here say it's possible they may have never known that had he just cooperated when officers first pulled up.
The nine-month-old girl wasn't hurt. She's with her mother this morning.
