An incident that had residents in the northeast part of Cortez hunkering in their homes Sunday afternoon and evening ended peacefully early Monday morning. Residents in the vicinity of the 800 block of Balsam Street had been advised via the Nixle messaging system to stay in their houses because of the threat of an armed man. Police Chief Roy Lane tells KSJD the man surrendered himself around 6 a.m. Monday and no one was hurt. The incident began when the 45-year-old man allegedly began threatening his wife while in their home on Balsam. Lane says the woman was able to get out of the house and call police, and she warned that her husband had guns and might use them. Alcohol was also reportedly involved. Lane says officers kept an eye on the house throughout the evening and overnight rather than trying to confront the man directly. Early in the morning the man came out and started walking down the sidewalk to turn himself in at the jail. He was arrested on several charges including felony menacing. Lane says the man never left his house during the incident. However, Lane says the messaging system was used to warn residents because of the volatility of the situation. The man was scheduled to be advised of the charges in court Monday afternoon.
Austin Cope contributed to this report.
