A tense standoff took place early Friday morning, November 15, 2024, when Phoenix police surrounded a white van near 75th Avenue and Virginia Avenue, occupied by an adult female suspect. At approximately 12:00 AM, officers used two marked patrol vehicles to block the van from the front and rear, while Tactical Support Bureau units were called to assist.
Despite repeated verbal commands from officers via loudspeaker, the suspect refused to exit the vehicle, escalating the situation into a barricade standoff. Police deployed pepper balls into the van and continued issuing commands, but the woman remained non-compliant. In an effort to locate her, officers broke through several windows of the van to confirm her position inside.
When the suspect still did not comply, officers moved in for a physical intervention. After opening the passenger-side door, they encountered an agitated and aggressive woman who resisted arrest. Officers struggled with the suspect as they attempted to remove her from the vehicle, eventually subduing her with the help of additional officers on the scene.
Phoenix Fire crews responded to assess the suspect for any injuries sustained during the struggle, particularly from pepper ball exposure, but the woman refused medical treatment and was taken into custody. The incident remains under investigation.