Big Idea

• Both Maricopa and Coconino Counties were wanting to serve search warrants
• Herb Ludewig, 44, from Sedona was located in the Village of Oak Creek
• YCSO negotiators attempted unsuccessfully to get the suspect to surrender
• When the home was breached, the suspect was hiding in the closet
• Read more...

The suspect is in custody

Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office SWAT, in conjunction with Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Verde Valley Regional SWAT, Prescott and Cottonwood Police Departments, and the US Marshalls were involved in a dramatic standoff Wednesday with a man wanted for multiple violent felonies in Maricopa County. 

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.

The suspect, Herb Ludewig 44 from Sedona, was located in a rural area in the Village of Oak Creek with four other people in a home belonging to the suspect’s mother near Jacks Canyon Road. YCSO negotiators attempted unsuccessfully to get the suspect to surrender however three of the occupants peacefully exited the house. The fourth person was found in a shed. She and one other occupant were booked on unrelated outstanding warrants.

YCSO and VV SWAT with vehicle support from Prescott Police Department SWAT, breached the home and located the suspect who was hiding in a closet. YCSO found over 30 firearms including personal weapons, various rifles, handguns, and shotguns, some of which were modified to make them prohibited weapons. Pipe bomb materials were also found in the main house. PANT detectives found drug paraphernalia and as of yet unidentified substances thought to be methamphetamine and cocaine. Mr. Ludewig was arrested by YCSO on the outstanding warrants and was charged with new weapons violations by YCSO.