DES MOINES, Iowa — A suspect was arrested after Des Moines police say he led them on a chase and barricaded himself in a home for several hours overnight.

According to the DMPD, officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop for an alleged equipment violation at around 10 p.m. Tuesday night near Indianola Road and SE 14th Street. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as 41-year-old Tyler Jon Watsabaugh, fled the scene, and led officers on a chase to his home in the 4500 block of SE 15th Street where he barricaded himself inside, police said. Other residents of the home were home at the time but were able to escape unharmed.

The DMPD said that Watsabaugh holed up in the basement of the home and armed himself with a makeshift spear. As officers tried to de-escalation the situation, Watsabaugh made homicidal and suicidal statements and threatened to stab the officers with the spear, police said.

According to the DMPD, Watsabaugh allegedly refused to surrender and after seven hours of negotiations CS gas was deployed into the home, allowing officers to safely take Watsabaugh into custody.

Watsabaugh has been charged with eluding and interference with official acts with a weapon. He also faces several traffic charges.

After Watsabaugh was apprehended, police said a fire started in the home. An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

No additional information has been released.

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