Man suspected of stealing AR rifles arrested in Fremont County

(FREMONT COUNTY, Colo.) — One of Fremont County’s most-wanted fugitives is behind bars after a multi-agency callout on Tuesday evening, July 23, which resulted in a short standoff.

According to the U.S. Marshals Service, 35-year-old Richard Capek was arrested Tuesday night after a standoff with multiple law enforcement agencies at a home off Highway 50, about five miles east of Penrose. The Marshals Service said Capek was wanted on numerous felony warrants, and he is also considered a suspect in a residential burglary on July 11 in which multiple guns were stolen from a home in Rockvale.

The search for Capek was initiated on July 5 when the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) requested help from the U.S. Marshals Service’s Colorado Violent Offender Task Force (COVOTF) in capturing Capek on outstanding warrants for Second Degree Assault via Strangulation, Violation of a Protection Order, Third Degree Assault, and Domestic Violence.

Following that request, on July 11, deputies with FCSO responded to the home burglary in Rockvale where Capek was identified as a suspect. Capek allegedly stole one AK-47-style rifle, three AR-15-style rifles, three shotguns, two handguns, and other items.

When detectives narrowed down Capek’s whereabouts to the rural home on Highway 50, assistance from the Marshals Service was requested due to Capek’s violent criminal history and his alleged theft of multiple firearms. After several days of surveillance confirmed a person matching Capek’s description was present, a perimeter was set up around the house and a short standoff ensued.

Eventually, Capek surrendered to law enforcement and he was taken to the Fremont County jail where he was booked on a multitude of outstanding warrants.

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