GARRETT, Ind. (WANE) – Indiana State Police (ISP) served a warrant in Garrett that turned into a three-hour standoff for a man charged with rape, and the school district announced dismissal was delayed for many students Monday afternoon.

An email sent to families in the Garrett Keyser Butler district said there was an “active situation” that delayed dismissal at area schools.

Around 12:15 p.m., troopers from Fort Wayne attempted to serve a felony arrest warrant on 59-year-old John C. Costanzo at his home in the 100 block of Hamsher Street in Garrett. Court documents show he was wanted for rape, and charges were filed in August.

Troopers found Costanzo at his apartment building, but he refused to cooperate with the arrest, ISP said in a release. The man barricaded himself in his home and police determined the man was armed and dangerous. As a result, ISP North SWAT Team and Crisis Negotiators were called to help resolve the situation.

Schools were not under an official lockdown, and students being picked up by parents and guardians were allowed to leave, but buses were not dropping off students, and student drivers were being kept at the schools.

Due to an active situation in the city of Garrett, and out of an abundance of caution, Garrett Keyser Butler schools will only be releasing students directly to parents/guardians. At this time, our buses will not be dropping off students and our student drivers and walkers will not be released.

Portion of an email sent to families in the school system

“We apologize for any inconvenience, rest assured that your students are safe within our school building and we will continue to keep you updated,” the email read.

After a 3-and-a-half-hour standoff, ISP SWAT got inside Costanzo’s residence and took him into custody. Costanzo was secured and taken to the Steuben County Jail where he was booked.

Costanzo was booked based on a felony arrest warrant for two counts of rape in Steuben County, and now other charges are pending from the standoff, including resisting law enforcement and a misdemeanor with DeKalb County.