A tense standoff unfolded in Graham on Monday when a suspect in a rape and assault case barricaded himself in a home after fleeing from Pierce County deputies. According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, the sequence of events began at approximately 12:45 pm when deputies attempted to pull over a vehicle at 97th Ave and 204th St E., inside which was the wanted man alongside a female driver.

The law enforcement encounter quickly escalated as the individual, along with his female accomplice, evaded the attempted traffic stop and fled to a residence at the dead-end of 202nd St Ct E where they proceeded to ignore demands to exit the vehicle and the house, thus creating a situation requiring further tactical response. Previous knowledge of the suspect being armed factored into the decision to call in the Pierce County SWAT team to handle the delicate situation with caution and precision, as reported by the Pierce County Sheriff's Department. In their preparation to forcibly enter, the suspect surprisingly opted to surrender just as deputies engaged their battering ram against the entrance.

The conclusion of the incident saw both the suspect and the woman taken into custody, "Great Job Deputies!!!" as stated by the Sheriff's Department. The woman faces charges of obstruction for her role in aiding the suspect's initial escape attempt and for her refusal to comply with authorities during the standoff. The identities of the individuals involved have not yet been released pending official statements or charges by the authorities.