Deputies search for wanted man in Centennial

DENVER ( KDVR ) — Deputies in Arapahoe County spent Wednesday morning looking for a wanted man who they said escaped from the Department of Corrections , although they did not state when that escape occurred.

On Wednesday at around 10:15 a.m., the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office reported on social media that Sean Hanneman, 56, escaped from the Department of Corrections. He is wanted on a 2021 Department of Corrections warrant for a parole violation and escape, and deputies said he is known to have violent tendencies. The Colorado Department of Corrections reported that Hanneman is a “wanted parole absconder,” and has been evading parole supervision since 2021.

The agency emphasized that Hanneman is not an inmate, and asked anyone with information to call 1-866-873-6305.

The sheriff’s office said he is known to carry large knives. He was described by the sheriff’s office as about six feet tall, 160 pounds and bald.

Deputies spent about three hours on Wednesday morning searching in Centennial for Hanneman in the area bounded by:

• East Arapahoe Road to the north
• East Dry Creek Road to the south
• South University Boulevard to the west and
• South Colorado Boulevard to east

Eventually, deputies attempted to arrest him at a residence in the 2500 block of East Easter Avenue, when Hanneman allegedly fled. Police used K-9s and drones in their search, but were unable to locate him on Wednesday. The agency reported calling off the search at about 11:28 a.m.

Sandburg Elementary School and Arapahoe High School were placed on a secure perimeter while deputies searched. A Code Red Alert was also sent out to residents in the area, and they were asked to shelter in place. The Littleton School District shared a statement at about noon, noting that the schools were placed on secure status at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

“Students and staff were never in harm’s way,” the district said. “The sheriff’s office lifted the secure around 11 a.m. and the school notified families that the secure had been lifted.”

The school also shared the message that was sent to families in the district:

“Today’s incident involved the park to the west of Sandburg but had nothing to do with our school, and no students or staff members were ever in harm’s way. There was an increased police presence in the Sandburg area to ensure the safety of the neighborhood and school,” Sandburg Elementary Principal Keri McCabe wrote. “I’m very proud of all the students and staff in our building who followed protocols and did exactly what they were supposed to do.”

According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Hanneman first garnered escape charges in 2018. FOX31 reported at the time that Hanneman had previously escaped twice from the Colorado Correction Center in Golden when he had escaped again in August 2018, and was ultimately captured again on the same day as his escape.

If you see Hanneman, the agency says to not approach and call 911 immediately.

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