Caldwell SWAT Team Arrests Wanted Suspect for Aggravated Battery

The Caldwell Police Department's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team executed an arrest warrant on the evening of March 17th, 2024, at a residence on the 5100 block of Northrup Way in Caldwell, according to an official press release. The operation aimed to apprehend a male suspect, Rafael Antonio Garcia Lopez, who was allegedly involved in an aggravated battery incident on March 16th, 2024.

Following several hours of strategic de-escalation tactics, including the use of chemical munitions and negotiations, law enforcement successfully took the suspect into custody without further incident, just before midnight. The press release outlines, "the subject was peacefully taken into custody without further incident or injury."

The suspect now faces charges of domestic battery with traumatic injury and intimidating a witness in connection to the incident. Chief Rex Ingram of the Caldwell Police Department expressed gratitude towards both the SWAT team's professionalism and the community's cooperation during the operation.

"Strategic. Methodical. Deliberate. Tactical. Professional. Those are the words that describe how our tacticians safely execute high-risk warrant operations like the one last night involving Mr. Garcia-Lopez," Chief Ingram stated. "I want to thank our wonderful community who were extremely patient during this hours-long standoff."

The press release shares that Chief Ingram emphasized the community's important role in supporting law enforcement during these kinds of incidents, acknowledging how the operations can be disruptive. He went on to say, "We will not tolerate folks like him who think they can terrorize our community."