A Sturtevant man went to extraordinary lengths to avoid arrest, police say, leading to a 6-hour standoff in October.
Michael A. Cantwell, 35, was out on bond for several charges, but under house arrest with GPS monitoring. His case manager reported to police that Cantwell violated bond several times in October, going to Milwaukee without permission.
On Oct. 16, officers were called to a home in the 4100 block of County Road H for a report that Cantwell had crawled into an attic and was stabbing himself, refusing commands to come down and out of the residence, according to the criminal complaint. They believed Cantwell may also have had a firearm.
When officers went inside, they found blood over the opening to the attic. Police called for help from the Fire Department, but he refused to come down.
The Racine County Sheriff’s Office blocked traffic in the area for more than six  hours, while law enforcement tried to get Cantwell out.
Members of the SWAT came and used distraction devices, OC spray, a pole camera and tactical robot to try to get him out. They eventually made contact with him and removed him from the attic so he could be taken to the hospital.
When police went into the attic, they found knives and a syringe.
At the hospital, Cantwell tested positive for Xanax and heroin. Later in October, he had another positive drug test.
Cantwell is charged with multiple counts of bail jumping, failing to comply with officers’ attempts to arrest him and disorderly conduct.
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