DANVILLE, Va. (rbs news now) — A 32-year-old Danville man was taken into custody after refusing to surrender for more than five hours on February 4.

Officers spotted James Edward Wells, who was wanted on seven criminal charges, at about 3 p.m.

Wells fled into an apartment building in the 100 block of White Street and refused to come out.

During the standoff, Wells spoke to officers from a distance, tried to flee through two apartments, and even accessed the roof system.

Police said they made multiple attempts to communicate and de-escalate the situation over several hours.

Eventually, Wells surrendered from an attic area without the use of force.

Wells was served with warrants for felony burglary, felony larceny of a firearm, felony possession of a firearm by a felon, misdemeanor assault and battery on family members, misdemeanor trespass, and two counts of misdemeanor destruction of property.

He was transported to the Danville City Jail.

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