Hays Police Department officers and other area law enforcement took part in a standoff at a local hotel that lasted more than three hours Tuesday afternoon. The incident happened at Baymont Inn & Suites, 3801 Vine.

The incident was an attempt to serve a warrant on a yet-to-be identified man, according to Lt. Brandon Wright, who declined to offer additional details, noting a press release was expected to be released later today or Wednesday.

According to hotel employees, who declined to be identified, authorities surrounded the hotel looking for a suspect who had a warrant for his arrest. Hotel staff and guests present at the time were asked to stay in the hotel lobby while officers surrounded the building, attempting to make contact with the suspect in his room.

The hotel employees told Hays Post their understanding was that authorities were being cautious as it was believed the suspect could be armed. After using K-9 units and attempting to make contact for three hours, authorities made entry into the room which turned out to be empty.

The employees stated a woman was taken away in handcuffs by police, although they didn’t know the woman’s relationship to the man. They added that the man and woman who had checked into the hotel on Saturday had made quite a mess in the room, dumping cigarette ashes on the bed and staining the towels purple and black with what appeared to be remnants of hair dye.

Stay tuned to Hays Post and Eagle Radio for updates.