The early morning calm of the North Renton neighborhood gave way to flashing lights and stun grenades Tuesday morning as SWAT team members surrounded and served a warrant on a house in the 200 block of Williams Avenue North.

Three people, including the primary suspect, were arrested in the raid on what neighbors say is a known source of drugs in the community. They were booked for violation the unified controlled substance act.

According to police, they were searching for methamphetermine.

A fourth person was arrested at a separate location after leaving the house just prior to the raid.

During the raid, police located two dead birds, two dogs and a chinchilla. The dogs and the chinchilla were reportedly in “poor condition” and are in animal control custody.

Several police and SWAT vehicles swarmed the house around 6 a.m. Tuesday morning, blocking all exits. Police announced their presence and their intention to serve a search warrant on the house, calling out the primary suspect by name and telling him to exit through the front door with his hands up.

After not receiving a response to their initial announcements, police set off three stun grenades and continued to make announcements at the house over a loudspeaker until the suspect appeared at the door and followed commands to walk backwards to the police vehicle with his hands in the air, which he did.

Two other people then repeated the process as police kept their weapons trained on the home.

Police then searched the house.

According to police, the investigation is still open and they could not comment further on the events.

Residents of North Renton have become more vocal this year regarding their concerns over crime in their neighborhood, including regular attendance at City Council meetings and hosting a Public Safety Town Hall meeting in late October.

Neighbors who witnessed the raid, but asked not to be identified for fear of retribution, were excited and encouraged by the police action.

“Success! The man terrorizing our community has been arrested,” said a resident from whose home the house in question is easily visible. “We appreciate the work of RPD and other jurisdictions involved in the work to get and serve the warrant.

“After everyone was gone, neighbors gathered on the street to say hello, hug and breathe,” the resident continued. “For a moment we could be neighbors again.”

But residents were also quick to say they must remain vigilant, as police at the town hall meeting told citizens that there were several homes in the neighborhood under surveillance.

“We are aware of a number of complaints in North Renton and we take them seriously,” Renton Police Commander David Leibman said Tuesday. “This is one step we can take to make sure citizens’ concerns are addressed.”

Reach Editor Brian Beckley at 425-336-4959.