A 36-year-old Pratt man is in custody following a tense standoff with law enforcement on Friday, September 19. The incident, which spanned several hours, concluded after the man barricaded himself inside a residence and was later discovered hiding in a concealed crawl space.
The situation began with a report of a domestic disturbance and escalated to include allegations of stalking and endangering children. The suspect, identified as Jacob Davis, was eventually apprehended by a specialized police unit and faces multiple charges.
Key Takeaways
- Jacob Davis, 36, was arrested in Pratt, Kansas, after a police standoff.
- The incident was initiated by a report that Davis violated a protection-from-abuse order.
- Allegations include throwing fireworks toward children and reckless driving.
- Davis barricaded himself in his home and was found by a Special Response Team hiding in a crawl space.
- He faces five charges, including assault of a law enforcement officer and stalking.
Initial Disturbance Call and Escalation
Events began to unfold shortly before 5:00 p.m. on Friday when the Pratt Police Department received a call about a disturbance in the 700 block of Champa Street. According to a statement from the department, the female caller reported that Jacob Davis was present in violation of an active protection-from-abuse order.
Police were informed that Davis left the location in a tan Chevrolet Suburban. The situation quickly intensified. A short time later, another report came in, this time alleging that a vehicle matching the Suburban's description had nearly collided with another driver near the intersection of Champa and Green Street.
Understanding Protection Orders
A Protection From Abuse (PFA) order is a civil court order designed to provide protection from harm by a family or household member. Violating a PFA is a criminal offense and can lead to immediate arrest and new charges, separate from the initial reasons the order was granted.
A Series of Alarming Actions
By approximately 6:00 p.m., the original reporting party contacted officers again. She stated that Davis had driven past her home, honking his horn continuously. Minutes later, a more serious allegation was made: Davis had reportedly returned and thrown mortar-style fireworks in the direction of children who were in the area.
Fortunately, the Pratt Police Department confirmed that no injuries resulted from the fireworks incident. However, these actions significantly raised the level of threat and prompted a more urgent search for the suspect.
Standoff at Champa Street Residence
At 6:48 p.m., law enforcement officers successfully located Davis at his own residence, located at 1002 Champa Street. Officers on the scene issued commands for him to surrender, but he refused to comply.
Police reported that as they attempted to approach, they were met by two aggressive dogs. Officers deployed pepper spray to deter the animals, at which point Davis retreated into the house and barricaded himself inside. This action officially transformed the situation into a standoff, requiring a specialized response.
Specialized Law Enforcement Units
Special Response Teams (SRT), often known as SWAT teams, are elite tactical units within law enforcement agencies. They are called upon for high-risk operations that fall outside the capabilities of regular officers, such as serving high-risk warrants, resolving hostage situations, and handling barricaded suspects.
Special Response Team Deployed
Given the suspect's refusal to cooperate and the potential danger of the situation, the Pratt County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team (SRT) was called to the scene to assist. These highly trained officers are equipped to handle barricade scenarios and minimize risk to the public and law enforcement.
The SRT began a systematic process to secure the home. They first deployed chemical agents, a common tactic to encourage a barricaded individual to exit a structure. When this did not yield a result, team members entered the residence to conduct a thorough search.
Discovery and Arrest in Hidden Tunnels
The SRT operators methodically cleared the main floor of the house and then proceeded to the attic. After searching both areas without finding the suspect, their attention turned to a less obvious part of the structure.
Officers discovered a crawl space beneath the home. Inside this space, they found a more complex hiding spot: a system of two concealed tunnels. It was within one of these tunnels that the team finally located Jacob Davis.
Even after being found, Davis reportedly continued to resist. Officers had to physically subdue him before taking him into custody. The police statement confirmed that he was arrested after a struggle.
The successful resolution of the standoff was a multi-agency effort, highlighting the coordination between the Pratt Police Department and the Pratt County Sheriff’s Office. No officers or citizens were injured during the entire incident.
Multiple Charges Filed
Following his arrest, Jacob Davis was transported and booked into the Pratt County Jail. He faces a number of requested charges stemming from the evening's events. Law enforcement officials have recommended prosecutors file the following charges:
- Violating a protection order
- Assault
- Assault of a law enforcement officer
- Interference with law enforcement
- Stalking
Each of these charges carries significant legal consequences. The case will now proceed through the Pratt County judicial system. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities compile all evidence related to the sequence of events on Friday evening.