A large law enforcement presence was in Stuart Thursday during a stand-off.

The Stuart Police Department, Iowa State Patrol and the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office were on scene Thursday for alleged assault at 2:46pm on the 400 block of Northeast 3rd Street in Stuart. A male had a verbal altercation and had pulled a large hunting knife and attempted to assault another individual in the residence. Because witnesses told law enforcement the suspect was hiding in the home, a perimeter was established and an off-duty Stuart Police Officer provided additional security, as a precaution, for the nearby elementary students that were being dismissed at the end of the school day.

An arrest warrant was obtained for the suspect, 43-year-old Clinton Lewis Casteel, Jr. of Stuart, as well as a search warrant for the residence.  The Iowa State Patrol Tactical Team and Negotiator were brought in. However, it was later determined that  was not at the residence. 

After 1:00 AM, in a residence in rural Adair County, Casteel was apprehended and charged with burglary in the first degree and assault while displaying a dangerous weapon. Casteell was booked into Guthrie County Jail. 

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office and the Panora Police Department assisted during the incident. The case remains under investigation. Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.