A man with a history of possessing firearms was arrested Tuesday evening after a large police presence descended on the parking lot of Whole Foods.
Jason Ward, 37, who had “many outstanding warrants” for his arrest was spotted sitting in his car at the store Tuesday, Longmont Police Sgt. Jason Pitts said.
Police arrived in the store lot around 4 p.m. Knowing Ward has a history of eluding police, officers sandwiched in his car to be sure he would not run, Pitts said.
Ward refused to leave his car for nearly an hour before an officer convinced him to surrender, Pitts said.
As police negotiated with Ward, lanes surrounding the vehicle were blocked and Whole Foods shoppers were asked to remain in the store, Pitts said. He was not aware of customers or staff at other businesses in the area being asked to stay in place during the incident.
During a search of Ward’s vehicle, officers found an airsoft gun that had been modified to look like a semi-automatic handgun under the driver’s seat, Pitts said.
Ward was wanted for eluding police, possession and distribution of narcotics and failure to comply.
He faces five possible charges of failure to comply with terms of his probation and one possible charge of failure to comply with bond conditions stemming from his Tuesday arrest.
