Law enforcement from several agencies and two SWAT units were involved in a multi-hour standoff in the VOC Wednesday, Aug. 18, resulting in the arrests of three people, including one wanted on multiple warrants from numerous jurisdictions.
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office’s SWAT, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service, Verde Valley Regional SWAT and Prescott and Cottonwood Police Departments were involved in the standoff Wednesday with Herbert George Ludewig III, 44, a suspect wanted for multiple violent felonies in Maricopa County, according Public Affairs Supervisor Kristin Greene.
Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and unmarked vehicles line the road to the property on Badger Road during the standoff.
Ludewig was located in a rural home down Bobcat Road on the south side of Jacks Canyon Road near Horse Mesa with four other people.
At approximately 12:45 p.m., YCSO was asked to assist in executing a search warrant on the suspect who was wanted for charges in Maricopa County, including aggravated assault on law enforcement.
Coconino County was simultaneously serving a search warrant on the subject for a possible connection to a homicide.
Three of the occupants peacefully exited the house. A fourth person was found in a shed. She and one other occupant were booked on unrelated outstanding warrants.
YCSO negotiators attempted unsuccessfully to get Ludewig to surrender.
YCSO SWAT and Verde Valley SWAT, with support from Prescott Police Department SWAT’s mine-resistant ambush protected light tactical vehicle, or MRAP, then breached the home and located Ludewig, hiding in a closet.
YCSO found over 20 firearms and pipe bomb materials in the main house.
Partners Against Narcotics Trafficking detectives found drug paraphernalia and as of yet unidentified substances thought to be methamphetamine and cocaine.
Ludwig was arrested by YCSO on the outstanding warrants and was charged with new weapons violations by YCSO.
YCSO Criminal Investigations will continue the investigation for other weapons in the home today.
In addition to the charges in the arrest warrants and charges related to the Aug. 18 standoff, Ludewig has an extensive criminal history.
He was charged with drug possession with intent to sell in 2019; drug paraphernalia, DUI drugs, endangerment, dangerous drug possession and tampering with physical evidence in 2010; misconduct involving weapons in 2004; vehicle theft and credit card fraud in 2001, and lesser crimes as far back as 2000.
A wide view of the standoff scene.
