Jeffco K9 Team Finds And Arrests Alleged Lakewood Home Invader

LAKEWOOD, CO —The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, with the help of a K9 partner named Geist, arrested a man early Thursday inside of a Lakewood home after the owners had reported a home invasion burglary.

Officers said Aris Ashford, 39, was found hiding behind a couch at a house in the 5500 block of S. Eldridge Street. The suspect was located during the K9 team's search of the home, and he was apprehended by a K9 named Geist, police said.

After being treated for superficial bite wounds at St. Anthony's Hospital, the suspect was released back to deputies.

Ashford was booked into the Jefferson County Detentions Facility for suspicion of 2nd-degree burglary, felony criminal mischief and theft, authorities said.

According to police reports, at 3:08 a.m. on Thursday, the Jefferson County Communications Center received a 911 call about a home invasion burglary. The homeowners reported that the suspect had broken down the front door and was wandering around in the home.

Police said that the homeowners, both adults, armed themselves with a firearm and hid in the basement, before crawling out of the house through a window.

They were waiting outside the home when deputies arrived on the scene.

According to police, officers repeatedly told the suspect to reveal himself to deputies. When he failed to comply, the K9 team entered the home and began their search for the suspect.