Police: suspect in Sunday’s Tri-county police chase involved in Monday’s SWAT standoff

MICHIANA, Ind. — Saint Joseph County police arrested 32-year-old Andrew Barrett Mon. afternoon following an hours-long standoff at a home in the 16,000 block of Hamilton St.

We know now, he was also the individual involved in the Sunday Evening police chase through three counties. That chase began at 7:07 p.m. following an attempted traffic stop near Hollyhock Road and Greenacre Street in St. Joseph County.

The chase made its way over the state line into Michigan before coming back into Indiana. Elkhart Police found the suspect's vehicle abandoned with Barrett nowhere to be found.

On Monday, a warrants investigation led police to the home on Hamilton Street where Barrett was believed to be inside. Police said when he refused to exit the residence, the St. Joseph County Metro SWAT was activated, aided by crisis negotiators and patrol officers.

Several streets in the area were blocked off as a precaution. At 4:23 p.m., officers said SWAT breached the door, deployed distraction devices, and arrested Barrett in the basement.

Police said two small children and two other adults were inside the home at the time, and were all safely secured. Barrett was taken to the hospital for evaluation before being booked in the St. Joseph County Jail where he remains.

There is no word yet on the new charges he could be facing, but we do know this is not Barrett’s first encounter with police. He is wanted on felony warrants out of Indiana, Michigan, and Colorado.

According to St. Joe County Police, Barrett is wanted out of Michigan for simple assault, resisting arrest, and child abuse.

In Indiana he is wanted for parole violation involving stalking, neglect of a dependent, operating while intoxicated, and endangerment. In Colorado, he's wanted for domestic assault.