On July 7, 2026, at approximately 11:10 PM, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Patrol deputies in the area of Claiborne Road and Naples Drive in unincorporated El Paso County were contacted by a citizen who reported an adult female had entered their residence in the 2500 block of Wooddale Road without permission.
Deputies searched the residence and the surrounding area and located 35-year-old Shandra Rathke at a residence in the 1200 block of Forest Road.
Deputies determined Rathke had a no-bond felony warrant issued by the Department of Corrections. Deputies contacted Rathke; however, she refused to comply with commands to exit the residence.
Due to the circumstances, Deputy Witherite and K-9 partner Dex responded to the location and issued additional commands for Rathke to exit. After being told K-9 Dex would be deployed if she did not comply, Rathke exited the home and was taken into custody without incident.
Shandra Rathke was transported to the El Paso County Jail, where she is being held without bond due to a parole hold. Additionally, she has an $800 cash bond for additional charges of Criminal Mischief and Third-Degree Assault.
“I commend my deputies for recognizing the potential risks of this call and taking proactive steps to ensure it was resolved safely,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “Their sound judgment, combined with the presence of K-9 Dex, helped de-escalate the situation and encouraged the suspect to surrender peacefully. Their professionalism likely prevented a use-of-force incident and avoided potential damage to the residence. My deputies remain committed to protecting the public, resolving incidents safely, and using the resources available to them to achieve the best possible outcome. This is another great example of how teamwork, experience, and our K-9 Unit help keep both our community and our deputies safe.”
