Two Winfield women identified in armed standoff; both held on $100K bond

UPDATED: Sunday, 11:35 a.m.

The Ark City Police Department released the names of the women involved in an armed standoff Saturday afternoon.

According to a news release from the ACPD Saturday evening, Jesse Shae Simmons, 44, of Winfield, and Alyna Arran Alvarado, 33, also of Winfield, were arrested after surrendering to authorities following a four-hour standoff in the 1300 block of North A Street.

Police responded to a report of a woman threatening people with a gun at 11:34 a.m. Saturday.

Officers quickly arrived and located Simmons.

Simmons pointed a handgun at the three initial responding officers. Simmons also brandished a machete and hammer.

Officers created a perimeter and contained the situation while additional resources were summoned.

Assistance flooded in from the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office, Winfield Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol, Southern Kansas SWAT Team, Arkansas City Emergency Management, and Cowley College Criminal Justice program.

The situation turned into a standoff with Simmons and an unknown passenger in a vehicle parked in the driveway at 1323 N. A St.

It was believed that Simmons had no tie to the location, but it was later revealed that the vehicle became disabled at this location.

Attempts to make phone contact with Simmons by law enforcement were not effective.

However, officers worked through friends and family to reach Simmons with no positive results.

Just before 3:45 p.m., occupants of the truck tried moving the vehicle, and it was at this time the Kansas Highway Patrol moved in with an armored vehicle to ensure that the vehicle did not leave the perimeter.

Shortly after introducing the armored vehicle into the scene, Alvarado surrendered to law enforcement without issue.

Approximately four minutes later, Simmons surrendered also without incident.

Both Simmons and Alvarado were taken into custody without injury and were evaluated medically before being transported to the Cowley County Jail.

Both individuals are being held on a $100,000 bond for charges from the investigation in Ark City and an incident earlier in the county.

“We are very thankful to have the standoff ended the way it did, with everyone being safe and unharmed,” Police Chief Eric Burr stated in the news release. “The response from area law enforcement and the professionalism displayed were appreciated and contributed to a positive outcome.”

Both Simmons and Alvarado are facing charges that include several counts of aggravated assault.

From Saturday:

Two women are in custody following an armed stand-off in Ark City Saturday afternoon.

According to ACPD Chief Eric Burr, two Cowley County women, ages 44 and 33, were taken into custody and transported to an area hospital for evaluation.

Burr said authorities were alerted at 11:34 a.m. concerning a report of a woman brandishing a firearm and making threats outside a truck in the 1300 block of North A Street.

Officers arrived and immediately identified the woman as armed, created a perimeter and locked down the area.

At 3:45 p.m., two women were taken into custody.

“Thank you to the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, the Winfield Police Department and the Southern Kansas SWAT Team for their assistance in helping us resolve this — especially in a safe way,” Burr told Cowley Post at the scene.

Burr said no shots were fired in Ark City and that there were no injuries to report. There were no children present at the scene in Ark City and the truck would be impounded and search warrant would be requested to search it. The truck had an out-of-state plate.

Burr said the incident is under investigation.

“There was some activity in the county that happened earlier in the morning and we’re still trying to piece those parts of the puzzle together,” he said shortly after the women were taken into custody. “We’re just thankful all parties are safe.”

Earlier:

The Arkansas City Police Department is working on a situation involving a woman with a handgun in the 1300 Block of North A Street, according to a news release from the ACPD just before 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

Citizens are being asked to avoid the area.  

This is an active incident. More information will be added as soon as it becomes available.