Full Notification

On 9-14-15, APD officers received information that Victor Andrew Apodaca, HM 26, was in a home in the 2700 block of S. Roosevelt in Amarillo.  Apodaca was wanted on multiple warrants out of New Mexico charging failure to appear on a grand jury indictment, felon in possession of a firearm, receiving stolen property, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, and distribution of marijuana.  The Texas Department of Public Safety was seeking Apodaca in connection with an incident in Carson County in which two troopers were hospitalized for injuries suffered during an arrest connected to a vehicle stop.

When APD officers established that the suspect was inside and that he would not come out, negotiators were notified.  The APD and DPS Texas Rangers initiated telephone contact with the man, who made statements to them that he would harm one or more females that were in the home, using the word “hostage” at some point in the conversation.  Officers had reason to be concerned that he had intent to force officers to shoot him and he indicated that he was armed with a handgun.

At about 7:15 PM, officers determined that suspect would not cooperate to end the situation and it was likely to become more hazardous.  APD SWAT launched containers of chemical irritants into the home.  Apodaca came to the door, holding a female in front of him.  Officers pulled the female away from the suspect.  Officers saw the grip of what appeared to be a handgun in his waistband.  Apodaca resisted efforts to take him into custody, and officers had to use physical force to complete the arrest.  Officers then found that the “gun” in his waistband was actually a toy gun.  Apodaca sustained a cut and swelling over his right eye and other minor injuries while resisting arrest.  He was turned over the DPS.  They have confirmed to the APD that they transported Apodaca to a local hospital.  He was treated and released and then booked into the Potter County Detention Center on the outstanding warrant charges.  The female that was in the home was also turned over to the Texas Rangers.  She was not been booked into jail and her involvement in this incident is still under investigation by the DPS.   There were no other people in the home.