SWAT team arrests 2 on outstanding warrants

Clovis police on Wednesday activated its SWAT team and subsequently arrested a man who had been wanted on charges of robbery and shoplifting.

Jesus Anaya, 31, also faces charges of battery on a peace officer and resisting an officer following a confrontation with police after he crawled down from an attic, court records show.

According to a police news release and court records:

• About 4:48 p.m. Wednesday, a Clovis police officer was driving in the area of Merriwether Street and recognized Anaya, knowing he had warrants for his arrest.

• Officers set a perimeter on a residence in the 800 block of Merriwether and were able to verify Anaya was in the home. Officers soon learned Anaya had crawled into the attic, in effort to evade arrest. The Clovis Police Department SWAT Team was activated.

• Anaya did not immediately respond to police ordering him to surrender, but a woman who also had outstanding warrants did climb down from the attic and was arrested. Whitney Saiz was jailed on battery and shoplifting charges.

• Anaya surrendered soon after Saiz and was taken into custody, then asked police for a cigarette. After an officer said he didn’t have a cigarette, Anaya “started to get mad and raise his voice.”

• The officer attempted to force Anaya into a patrol car and he kicked the officer in the chest, resulting in the battery and resisting arrest charges.

Both Anaya and Saiz were being held without bond in the Curry County Adult Detention Center late last week.