Heat Hits Nine Arizona Officers at Standoff

GILBERT, Ariz. --

Nine Gilbert police officers were treated for heat illnesses, including dehydration, at an hours-long barricade situation late Friday morning that ended with the arrest of a 38-year-old man.

John Witt was booked on charges of assault and criminal damage/domestic violence.

Gilbert police officers were called to a domestic violence situation at 898 S. Roca St. involving Witt and his sister.

Witt's sister told police she and Witt were in an argument, and at some point before police arrived, Witt slashed her vehicle tires with a knife, said Sgt. Mark Marino with the Gilbert Police Department.

Witt's sister also reported his girlfriend was inside the home and Witt wasn't letting her leave, Marino said.

Officers were not able to establish contact with anybody when they first arrived, so they called for the Gilbert Tactical Operations Unit for help.

The SWAT team said they were able to establish limited contact with Witt, but he refused to come out of the home.

At about 1:45 p.m., Witt released his girlfriend from the home unharmed, Marino said.

At 2:12 p.m., Witt eventually came out of his home and was taken into custody without incident, Marino said.

About 40 Gilbert police officers were called to the scene, along with several fire department personnel.

Firefighters treated the nine officers for heat-related illness. Nobody was taken to the hospital.

Copyright 2009 by KPHO.com. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.