Standoff Leads to Arrest on Stolen Vehicle, Weapons Charges

(PUEBLA)

Coles County and Champaign County authorities arrested a man after a three-hour standoff Wednesday night and early Thursday morning.

Jose Puebla had three active warrants for his arrest. During the investigation, it was learned that Puebla was possibly armed with a firearm and in possession of stolen property. He was found to be located in a house in Humboldt and authorities traveled there to attempt to serve a search warrant.

Due to Puebla's criminal history and the seriousness of his pending cases, the Coles County Crisis Response Team conducted a "contain and call out". Over the course of the three hours, many techniques to gain Puebla's compliance were utilized without success.

The Crisis Response Team finally made a forced entry into the home and eventually breached an area of the ceiling. Puebla was located hiding under insulation in the attic of the home and was taken into custody at about 2am Thursday.

During the execution of the search warrant, authorities found a stolen vehicle along with a loaded .20 gauge shotgun. Puebla was taken to the Coles County Sheriff's Department on three warrants as well as new charges of possession of a stolen vehicle and unlawful possession of a firearm or ammunition.

During a Friday morning court appearance, bond for Puebla was set at $200,000. He is next due in court on October 21 for a preliminary hearing on the charges. The current investigation is being led by the Champaign County Sheriff's Office. Other agencies assisting in the arrest were the Charleston and Mattoon Police Departments, and the East Central Illinois Task Force.