HIALEAH, Fla. – A SWAT standoff led to the arrest of a 44-year-old man who police say barricaded himself inside a Hialeah home after hiding inside of it with a gun.
Hialeah police responded to a call at a home near the 500 block of East 17th Street, reporting a person in the home’s attic.
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Despite the homeowner recognizing the individual and requesting that police cancel the call, authorities received a subsequent 911 call from another victim living there.
The second victim, who was not present at the scene, reported an earlier incident involving a friend living in a trailer on her property, later identified by police as Justin Paul Kozyak.
Earlier that night, that victim received a call from her roommate, informing her that Kozyak was in the attic and then inside her locked bedroom, possibly armed, police said.
After officers’ unsuccessful attempts to persuade Kozyak to exit the trailer, a SWAT team was called due to his barricaded status, according to investigators.
Statements from victims revealed multiple unauthorized entries by Kozyak, including attempts to pick locks and force his way inside.
Police said both victims reported fear for their safety, with one victim witnessing Kozyak trying to enter their bedroom through the attic.
Police said the victim recounted witnessing the Kozyak descending from the attic of the residence, where he was instructed not to re-enter and was escorted outside.
Roughly an hour later, police said the other victim encountered Kozyak attempting to reenter the residence, where one of the victims locked her bedroom, which was secured with an electronic keypad door lock.
Shortly afterward, the victim heard Kozyak attempting to gain entry via the front door by picking the lock at which time ordered him to leave the residence, police said.
Police said Kozyak, who was armed with a gun, persisted by banging on the front door. The victim expressed fear for his safety and that of the other occupants, but police said Kosak eventually left upon realizing he couldn’t gain entry.
Authorities said Kozyak surrendered to police on the same day and was arrested without further incident.
Jail records show he is facing one count each of aggravated assault with a firearm, burglary of an occupied dwelling and attempted armed burglary.
As of Monday, Kozyak is being held at the Metro West Detention Center, where his total bond has not been set.
