Fugitive surrenders following standoff near downtown

COEUR d'ALENE - A suspect on Kootenai County's most wanted list was taken into custody without incident Saturday afternoon following a standoff near downtown Coeur d'Alene that lasted several hours and involved multiple law enforcement agencies.

Nathan Todd Bussell, 21, was taken into custody about 5 p.m. He was wanted on a $75,000 felony warrant for aggravated battery.

Coeur d'Alene Police Captain Steve Childers said a cooperative effort involving about 30 law enforcement officials from the city, Kootenai County and Post Falls responded to the incident. Responders included members of the SWAT team comprised of officers from the city and county. Officers had been informed Bussell was possibly armed.

A remote robot was used during the standoff to enter the home and capture pictures for authorities to aid in the apprehension of the suspect. Childers said it was the second successful use of the robot, obtained recently by the city.

Officials were alerted around 11:30 a.m. that the fugitive was at a residence on the 500 block of Foster Avenue. A one-block area of that neighborhood was blocked off as officers attempted to get Bussell out of the one-story home.

Bussell refused repeated commands to exit the home and was holed up for about four hours before peacefully surrendering about 5 p.m., Childers said.

Bussell was listed on April 8 as the North Idaho Violent Crimes Task Force Fugitive of the week. He had an outstanding warrant for aggravated battery.