No charges filed yet in Yuma standoff from Wednesday

The Yuma gang member who barricaded himself inside a mobile home Wednesday night and refused to come out has not been charged with any crimes — at least not yet.

During an arraignment in Yuma Justice Court on Monday, Justice of the Peace Greg Stuart informed 22-year-old Aaron Michael Quiroz that the Yuma County Attorney's Office did not file a criminal complaint against him.

Stuart explained to Quiroz that the charges had not been dismissed, and that they can still be refiled later. The reason no complaint had been filed, Stuart added, is that the Yuma County Attorney's Office has sent the case back to Yuma police for more investigation before determining whether to file any charges.

According to Yuma police, a nearly three-hour standoff started around 7:50 p.m. as Yuma police were attempting to serve a search warrant at 1640 W. 8th St. to look for evidence in a gang-related incident that happened a couple of weeks ago.

Upon their arrival, officers made contact with a man and a woman outside of the home. During that conversation, however, officers noticed there was still another man inside.

The man, identified as Quiroz, a member of the Okietown street gang who went by the name of Little Chief, refused to come out and barricaded himself inside. Police tried to negotiate with him using a megaphone and by telephone but could not convince him to come out.

Adjoining trailers were evacuated for the safety of the residents and YPD's Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) was called to the scene to assist with situation.

Finally, at 11:26 p.m., after about two and a half hours, the SEU fired tear gas into the trailer, at which time Quiroz came out and was taken into custody.

Quiroz was booked on misconduct with weapons and being a prohibited possessor, misconduct with weapons/defacing a deadly weapon and interfering with judicial proceedings. The other two subjects were eventually released.

The YPD Gang Unit will be continuing with the case investigation. YPD asks anyone with information about this case to call 783-4421, or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.