Last week, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team, in coordination with detectives from the Violent Offender Fugitive Task Force, located a violent offender in the 700 block of North Blaney Road in unincorporated El Paso County.

The suspect, 33-year-old Stephen Martin, was wanted by the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) on charges of First-Degree Kidnapping. Martin was known to be armed and had previously made threats to use a firearm.

Deputies secured the perimeter and safely evacuated four adults and one child from the property, leaving only Martin behind. Information obtained at the scene indicated Martin was hiding in an underground hole beneath a shed. The hole was covered by a securable hatch, making access difficult.

Members of the Crisis Negotiations Unit established contact with Martin and worked to persuade him to surrender peacefully. Martin initially attempted to deceive deputies by claiming he was not present at the location.

An armored rescue vehicle was deployed to move the shed, exposing the hatch. Negotiators re-engaged with Martin, and after further communication, he ultimately surrendered. Deputies recovered a firearm from the hiding space where Martin had been concealed.

Martin was transported to the El Paso County Jail, where he was booked on the two outstanding CSPD arrest warrants. He is being held on a $81,000 bond.

"I am incredibly proud of our deputies, who showed outstanding professionalism and courage in safely removing this dangerous individual from our streets and protecting innocent lives,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “Time and time again, the skilled operators who make up our SWAT Team and Crisis Negotiations Unit, work to successfully end these situations in a peaceful and safe manner. They demonstrate a commitment to the safety of our community, and each other, and I am extremely proud of them. Great work from all involved!”