Royal standoff ends peacefully

A rowdy night in Royal ended with a trip to jail for a local man who engaged in a six-hour standoff with law enforcement.

According to the Clay County Sheriff's Office, at approximately 4 p.m. deputies were informed of a federal warrant for Timothy Steinbeck, 46, of Royal, for a narcotics violation. Deputies located Steinbeck at his residence, but he fled into the home before they could make contact with him.

Steinbeck barricaded himself inside the dwelling, which necessitated the Iowa State Patrol Tactical Team to assist in his removal. After numerous attempts to make contact with Steinbeck were unsuccessful, pepper gas was introduced into the home. Steinbeck eventually exited the residence and was taken into custody at approximately 10:43 p.m.

The suspect was transported to Spencer Hospital, where he was evaluated and released to the Clay County Sheriff's Office. He was held at the Clay County Jail until Tuesday when he was then released into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

The Clay County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol Tactical Team, Iowa Division of Narcotics, Royal Fire Department and Rescue, and the Spencer Hospital Ambulance.