Police successfully rescued two victims and arrested the man accused of holding them hostage.

Around 11:20 a.m. on September 24, 2022, FC911 received a report of a hostage situation in a home. The caller had received a message from one of the victims, who said a man was inside the apartment and wouldn’t let her or another victim leave. The adult female victims knew the man, Victoriano Benavente, 38, and said he was armed with a knife.

Patrol officers immediately responded to the residence in the 1200 block of Lincoln Avenue and began working to safely resolve the situation. A short time later, they received information that the suspect had harmed one of the victims, prompting a rapid SWAT deployment. Members of the SWAT team entered the home and rescued both women. The suspect was safely taken into custody just after noon, and multiple knives were recovered during his arrest. Police learned that he broke into the apartment the night before and would not let the victims leave.

The victims were transported to an area hospital, one with minor injuries and one with serious injuries. Both are expected to recover. Benavente was arrested on the following charges and booked into the Larimer County Jail:

• First Degree Kidnapping - injury (class 1 felony)
• First Degree Kidnapping (class 2 felony)
• First Degree Burglary (class 3 felony)
• Second Degree Assault - 2 counts (class 4 felony)
• Harassment (class 3 misdemeanor)
• Unlawful Sexual Contact (class 4 felony)
• Felony Menacing - 2 counts (class 5 felony)
• Violation of a Protection Order (class 1 misdemeanor)
• Obstruction of Phone Service - 2 counts (class 1 misdemeanor)
• Use of a Controlled Substance (class 2 drug misdemeanor)
• Domestic Violence

“Officers have been called to several dynamic and dangerous circumstances in the last few weeks, and our patrol and SWAT teams have done an exceptional job resolving these situations safely and professionally,” said Chief Jeff Swoboda. “We will continue to support the victims in this traumatic incident, and we’ll work to ensure the suspect is held accountable for the harm he caused.”

Anyone with information about this suspect or incident, who has not already spoken to police, should contact Detective O’Loughlin at (970) 416-2571. People who wish to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers of Larimer County at 970-221-6868 or www.stopcriminals.org. All charges are simply an accusation by law enforcement, and all parties must be presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you aren't alone. Support is available here in our community. Crossroads Safehouse provides emergency safehousing, advocacy, legal assistance, rapid rehousing and crisis intervention for victims of domestic violence. Visit https://crossroadssafehouse.org/ to learn more.