SWAT Standoff at Clifton Residence

Wanted man taken into custody by Mesa County SWAT

Matthew Bratcher, 23

Mesa County, Colo. -- Today at about 12:35 p.m. deputies responded to 3192 N Torreys Peak in attempt to locate 23-year-old Matthew Bratcher who was wanted for warrants.  A woman at the residence told deputies Matthew was inside and he may be armed and agreed to let deputies inside the house to look for him.

While searching the home deputies observed an empty holster for a handgun in plain view and found Matthew had barricaded himself inside the bathroom, which prompted a SWAT response.  As Bratcher has a recent history of fleeing from deputies, Chatfield Elementary was placed on lockdown and students at other schools were held at their schools for those whose bus stops were near Torreys Peak.

At about 4:00 p.m., after repeated attempts by deputies to communicate with Bratcher were met with no response, gas was deployed into the residence.  Within minutes, Matthew came out of the house, gave up and he was taken into custody without resistance and without anyone being injured.