Franklin County SWAT Team Arrests Lonedell Man Hiding In ‘Secret Room’
A Lonedell man was arrested April 25 following a lengthy standoff with Franklin County SWAT.
Tony Rutledge was taken into custody for Stealing - Over $25,000 or more and Stealing Motor Vehicle. A no-bond warrant was issued for Mr. Rutledge on these charges, and more charges are expected to be forwarded to the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney's Office regarding the unlawful possession of a firearm and drug paraphernalia.
Rutledge was the suspect in an ongoing investigation into a truck stolen from Villa Ridge.
On April 13, the vehicle was recovered, and two suspects were taken into custody; however, the main suspect fled on foot and evaded arrest.
Members of the Detective Bureau obtained a search warrant for the residence of Rutledge which in the 8000 block of Highway FF in Lonedell
Due to the extensive criminal history, the Franklin County SWAT Team executed the search warrant to apprehend the suspect. This suspect, a convicted felon, was also believed to be in possession of a firearm.
On the morning of April 25, members of the Franklin County SWAT Team and detectives responded to the suspect's address.
An elderly male exited the main floor of the ranch-style home, and shortly after, a female exited the basement of the residence.
Information was gained from these subjects that the male suspect was in the basement, and he was most likely barricaded in his bedroom.
After a couple of hours of ongoing attempts to contact the suspect by phone and loud hail, members of the SWAT Team made entry and located the suspect concealed in a secret room inside his bedroom.
A firearm was located along with drug paraphernalia on the level of the residence where the male was located.
It was later learned that the female helped conceal the suspect by covering the entrance to the secret room to assist him in hiding from law enforcement.
This female was taken into custody and is currently being held on a 24-hour hold for Resisting/Interfering with a felony arrest.