Two in custody after fiery rescue
On Dec. 6, 2022 around 8 p.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was notified that two people that were wanted were at a local Winnemucca residence on Davis Lane.
“At that time, we believed the two were Angelo Atencio and Ashley
Ward”, Sheriff Mike Allen said. Antencio and Ward were wanted in connection of a jail escape from Lassen County California.
Humboldt County Deputies responded to the residence and the deputies observed people run back into the residence after the deputies arrived. HCSO spoke to another person who indicated Antencio and Ward were in the residence.
Knowing that there were people inside, believed to be armed and dangerous, and not complying with law enforcement’s orders to exit the residence, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) activated the Tri-County Special Response Team (SRT) and a hostage negotiator the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.
After a communication device was thrown in the residence, the Hostage Negotiator began talking to a male subject from inside the residence. This male subject soon left the residence. The hostage negotiator, after several attempts, finally made contact with Antencio. Antencio stated he had taken Ward as hostage inside the house. The hostage negotiator continued to speak to Antencio for several hours.
“At one point, we could see that a fire was started on the top floor of the residence”, said Sheriff Allen. It was believed that Antencio was armed with a firearm.
The negotiations with Antencio to surrender peacefully continued for a couple more hours. Antencio would not come out of the residence. HCSO SRT deployed tear gas in the residence, however, Antencio and Ward would move their location from within the residence.
Eventually, the top floor of the residence became engulfed in flames. “We could see at this time Antencio and Ward were in the basement and you could hear Ward frantically scream as the house began burning down”, said Sheriff Allen.
A group of 5 SRT members initiated a rescue into the residence and rescued Ward from the residence and then returned inside the residence to rescue Antencio all while the house was fully engulfed in flames.
“The SRT members acted heroically and unselfishly to save the lives of two people who were wanted on felony arrest warrants. This is an excellent demonstration from our deputies who put their own lives on the line for the lives of others”, Sheriff Allen said.
Assisting during the incident were the Winnemucca Police Department, Lander County Sheriff’s Office, Pershing County Sheriff’s Office, Humboldt General Hospital EMS, Humboldt County Rural Fire Department, The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Elko Police Department and Lassen County Sheriff’s Office.
Arrested and booked at the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center during this incident were:
Alex Velasco - 46 yoa, from Winnemucca, on charges of a misdemeanor for Failure to Appear.
Torry B. Twedt - 62 yoa, from Winnemucca, on charges of Resisting Public Officer.
Angelo Antencio - 35 yoa, from California, 2 counts on charges of Arrest of fugitive from justice in another state, False Imprisonment – Kidnapping/Abduction, Arson, first degree, Attempted murder
Ashley Ward – 33 yoa, from Winnemucca, on charges of Fugitive from Justice in another state.