CBI: Courthouse Fugitive Arrested in La Junta After 5½-Hour Standoff on Santa Fe Avenue

Description: The Colorado Bureau of Investigation says Matthew Muniz Jr. was arrested in La Junta after fleeing the Otero County Courthouse and barricading himself inside an apartment during a five-and-a-half-hour standoff involving CBI, CSP, LJPD, and RFPD officers on May 27, 2026. Read the Full Press Release from the CBI...

Courthouse Fugitive Arrested in La Junta Following Barricade Situation

May 27, 2026 – CBI –  La Junta, CO –The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the La Junta Police Department (LJPD) announce the arrest of Matthew Muniz Jr. today at approximately 3:00 p.m. in La Junta, Colorado. Muniz Jr. (DOB 05/05/1997), ran from the Otero County courthouse around 8:30 a.m. when he learned an Otero County Sheriff’s deputy was about to arrest him for an outstanding warrant out of Pueblo County for multiple charges including Felony Stalking and Domestic Violence. 

Muniz Jr. was originally making a court appearance, while free on bond, for charges in Otero County related to Felony Eluding, Possession of a Dangerous Weapon and Possession of a Prohibited Large Capacity Magazine. When Muniz Jr. learned he was about to be taken into custody for the felony warrants in Pueblo County that had been issued May 19, he ran to his apartment across the street from the courthouse where he refused orders to surrender. 

The CBI Special Response Team (SRT), along with The Colorado State Patrol (CSP), La Junta Police Department (LJPD) and the Rocky Ford Police Department (RFPD) were deployed around 9:30 am to the 200 Block of Santa Fe Ave after Muniz Jr. barricaded himself within the building.  After a five and half hour standoff, Muniz Jr. was apprehended and taken into custody without further incident. 

Muniz Jr. is likely to face additional charges based on the events that occurred today. 

All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Tweet