Prescott Man In-Custody after Standoff with SWAT

On July 30, 2024, at approximately 4:12 P.M. Prescott Police Officers responded to a residence located in the 700 block of Campbell Street upon the report of a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, officers learned that the suspect, 33-year-old Anthony Cullum, was denying his former girlfriend and resident owner access to her home and had used a machete to intimidate her when she went inside to retrieve diapers for their in-common infant child. Additionally, the victim reported that Cullum had caused extensive damage to the residence to include cutting a hole in the roof of the structure to allow him access to the roof from inside. The victim had been displaced from her residence and was staying with a friend due to Cullum’s erratic behavior.

Officers learned that Cullum had left the residence on a motorcycle prior to their arrival. A Prescott officer located Cullum in the area of Willis Street and Cortez Street and attempted to perform a traffic stop. Cullum failed to yield to the officer and fled at a high rate of speed on his motorcycle.

Multiple attempts were made to speak with Cullum at the residence to which he had returned. Cullum began making verbal threats to officers advising them that he would “shoot it out” with them and that he had the house “booby trapped”. Officers observed that Cullum had some sort of rifle on the roof of the residence next to his access hole that he utilized to get on the roof and had rigged a camera to the roof of the residence. Several other surveillance cameras were observed at the residence as well.

Due to Cullum’s erratic behaviors, threats, as well as the serious nature of his crimes, the Prescott Police Special Weapons and Tactics Team was called to assist. At approximately 1:30 P.M. on July 31, S.W.A.T. officers served a search warrant on the residence.

Ongoing attempts for Cullum to voluntary surrender proved unsuccessful as he continued to disobey commands to exit the residence. Chemical agents were utilized inside the residence and Cullum finally exited the front door of the residence. Cullum continued to be defiant in his actions and refused to listen to verbal commands of officers. As Cullum began backing up towards the front door of the residence, officers deployed a less lethal baton, and a Prescott Valley Police K9 was subsequently deployed as well. Cullum was taken into custody without further incident.

Cullum was booked into the Yavapai County Jail on Felony charges of Criminal Damage, Felony Flight from Law Enforcement, and Resisting Arrest. Additional charges referencing the original domestic violence call are pending as well. It should be noted that Cullum was out on bond for previous charges of Theft of Motor Vehicles, Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement, and Resisting Arrest.