BY JOHN REED LEADER EDITOR
KNOX — A Knox man was jailed after a standoff with police that lasted for hours and resulted in a SWAT team being called in to assist.
The situation began with a routine traffic stop by a Knox Police Officer on Wednesday, May 16, about 10:50 p.m. in front of the Napa Auto Parts store on South Heaton Street.
The driver, Mary Gonzalez, 56, of 7360 E. 25 N., Knox, was charged with driving while suspended — prior. Her passenger, Feliciano Algoser, had no driver’s license and the two were allowed to leave on foot.

Keen then suspected there might be drugs in the car and called for an Indiana State Police canine unit, which was nearby, to make a check. The dog, according to police reports, detected drugs in the vehicle.
Knox Officer David Combs was sent to locate Gonzalez and Algoser, to have them return to the vehicle. Combs went to their home on 25 North where he talked to Gonzalez. Algoser, however, started yelling at Combs and refused to cooperate. He was tased three times, but the taser had no effect. Reports then said Algoser tried to pull Combs to the ground. The two continued to battle, and Algoser was tased two more times. Combs then sprayed Algoser with a chemical spray two times, and that had no effect.
At that point, Algoser broke free, yelling at Gonzalez to get the gun from the house. Algoser ran back inside the house, shutting and locking the door against Combs.
Combs then ran for cover and summoned backup. Sheriff’s Deputies Bret Hansen and Don Fergeson arrived, along with two ISP troopers. The arriving troopers said other troopers from the ISP SWAT team were en route.
Knox officers notified Prosecutor Julianne Havens and obtained a search warrant from Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall at 2:56 a.m. The SWAT team negotiated with Algoser by phone. Gonzalez left the house, and the SWAT team entered, taking Algoser into custody.
Gonzalez told police she tried to convince him to surrender, and told officers Algoser was intoxicated.
Algoser was taken to the Starke County Jail and charged with intimidation, resisting law enforcement and battery.