A standoff between police and a burglary suspect near the Minneapolis Institute of Arts that began when a woman dialed 911 and whispered that she needed help ended peacefully Tuesday morning.

Nearby residents were evacuated, and police used part of the museum's parking lot as a command center. Schoolchildren on field trips were directed to the Old Main entrance on the building's north end facing E. 24th Street as a precaution.

The incident began about 5 a.m., when the 30-year-old suspect allegedly fired shots during a burglary attempt at a residence on the 3100 block of 2nd Avenue S. He left in a vehicle without gaining access to the home, Sgt. William Palmer said.

About an hour later, a woman inside a townhouse in the 300 block of E. 25th Street, two blocks east of the museum, called 911 for help.

Police spotted a vehicle outside matching the description of the one seen at the burglary attempt.

Two women and two children came out about 9 a.m. It was not clear whether they were released by the suspect or left on their own. The suspect remained inside until SWAT team personnel were able to talk him into surrendering about 10:25 a.m., Palmer said.

Palmer said the suspect "had a domestic relationship" with a woman who lived in the townhouse. Police were not sure whether the suspect was still armed while at the townhouse, so they called in a SWAT team and cordoned off about a six-square block area around the home.

Police did not find a gun when the suspect was arrested, Palmer said.

TIM HARLOW AND JIM ADAMS