Man from Heber arrested after hours-long standoff in parking lot

LIFT — On Sunday, a man was arrested in Heber after a standoff lasting several hours in a parking lot.

Richard Cole Steed, 41, was arrested by Heber police on Sunday on charges including aggravated assault, possession of a firearm and driving under the influence.

According to an affidavit, officers from the department responded to reports of a heavily intoxicated man on a porch asking residents if they wanted marijuana or cocaine. After being asked to leave, Steed allegedly returned with “an extreme odor of an alcoholic beverage.”

Officers then responded to another call, this time involving a man pointing a firearm at employees at a local bar, the document states. Witnesses at the bar said an employee found cocaine and money in the restroom, at which point Steed “freaked out” and showed a firearm in his waistband.

According to the affidavit, officers found Steed in his vehicle and refused to comply with orders to exit despite being given instructions over the loudspeaker and telephone. Steed was also observed drinking from a bottle and placing newspapers on the dashboard, which “prevented officers from seeing inside the vehicle.”

Officers identified Steed by matching the vehicle he was in with the description of his car from the previous operation.

Steed then threatened the officers several times and said he would shoot anyone who approached the vehicle. The officers then used a “pepper gun” to subdue Steed. He then took off his trousers and was taken into custody.

According to the affidavit, Steed’s vehicle was towed to collect evidence. During the process, officers discovered open containers of alcohol but were unable to locate the alleged firearm. At the time the affidavit was filed, officers were not finished with their investigation.

Steed had previously been arrested for crimes including selling harmful materials to minors and child sexual assault. A warrant was issued on May 7 after 18 911 calls were received in a month, all of which involved Steed at various addresses in the Midway area.

Cole was booked into the Wasatch County Jail on nine charges, including:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol, first offense in ten years, a Class B misdemeanor;
• Consumption of alcohol in a vehicle, a Class C misdemeanor;
• aggravated assault, a felony of the third degree;
• Possession of a deadly weapon with intent to commit an assault, a Class A misdemeanor;
• Threatening violence, a class B misdemeanor;
• Possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, a second-degree felony;
• obstructing a peace officer, a class B misdemeanor;
• disorderly conduct, refusal to obey the orders of a police officer, an infringement;
• Carrying a dangerous weapon while under the influence of alcohol/drugs, a Class B misdemeanor.