East Central Spokane standoff ends peacefully

An armed police standoff in East Central ended peacefully Friday morning.

Spokane police responded to the 2100 block of East Cataldo Avenue just before midnight Thursday, looking for Benjamin P. Ellis, 30. Ellis was a fugitive with Idaho warrants, according to a police news release.

Officers saw Ellis run into the home. Police also arrested another man, William L. Taylor, 53, who was armed with a pistol, in front of the home.

Police surrounded the house and attempted to convince Ellis to come out. When he refused they obtained a search warrant. During the investigation police also learned that Ellis might be armed, according to the news release.

Police closed Crestline Street and Cataldo Avenue and asked neighbors to stay inside. Just before 8:30 a.m., a K-9 unit was sent inside and found Ellis. Shortly after, he was arrested.

A fire started in the home during the standoff. Police were continuing to search the house, looking for the weapon and investigating the cause of the fire.

Ellis has a felony drug conviction in Idaho, as well as two misdemeanor charges for attempting to elude police and vehicle theft.