Posted at: 08/25/2009 11:48 AM
Updated at: 08/25/2009 6:42 PM
By: Austin Reed, Eyewitness News 4, and Reed Upton, KOB.com

Four Corners SWAT suspect killed

Broken windows at the suspect's house mark the shootout with police

An armed robbery suspect who held Four Corners officers at bay for several hours was found dead Tuesday after an all-day standoff.

Montezuma County deputies say the man, 53-year-old Joseph Karjanik, and officers exchanged gunfire Tuesday afternoon.

Officers then sent a remote controlled robot into the home where Krajanik had barricaded himself, saw Krajanik�s body, entered the home and confirmed he was dead.

Krajanik had held off officers from several area law enforcement agencies since 10:30 this morning when deputies tried to serve an arrest warrant for armed robbery and he refused to surrender.

According to Montezuma County deputies, an armed man robbed Mac�s Liquor Store on Highway 491 north of Cortez at about 6:30 Monday evening.

Officials say the store's owner identified the robber as Karjanik.

Deputies received a warrant to arrest Karjanik and search his property, but Karjanik barricaded himself in his home northeast of Cortez.

As a SWAT team began firing gas into the home, Karjanik began firing at officers, according to deputies.

One deputy was shot and suffered minor injuries. He was taken to a local hospital.

SWAT officers from surrounding communities including Farmington, Durango and La Plata assisted Montezuma County deputies.