Man Keeps SWAT at Bay Almost 9 Hours Before Police Fire Tear Gas, Make Arrest

[Updated 10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 24, 2015] Pasadena police locked down a Northwest Pasadena neighborhood for almost nine hours overnight as they surrounded the apartment complex of a man who reportedly was standing on a balcony in the 100 block of Penn Street and pointing a handgun at passersby.

Police were told the suspect had also threatened family members with the handgun.

Arriving officers made contact with the suspect man, Pasadena Police Lt. John Mercado said. The man refused orders to surrender and retreated inside the apartment.

Pasadena police safely evacuated surrounding apartments and Crisis Negotiation Team members attempted dialog with the suspect, urging him to surrender. Pasadena SWAT and the Pasadena Fire Department were called to the scene.

As the night unfolded, a second armored vehicle was called in from the Glendale Police Department, Mercado said.

Area residents were advised to stay inside and to “keep low” in a police advisory. Via social media, they described a police helicopter constantly overhead and some said they saw multiple SWAT teams in the vicinity.

At one point during the standoff, the suspect pointed his handgun at officers on a perimeter position around the apartment building, police said.

At about 1:30 a.m. one resident reported being awakened by a loud boom, and again shortly before 3 a.m., another.

At about 5:30 a.m. Sunday, the man was taken into custody after SWAT teams fired tear gas into his apartment.

Jose Solis, 36, a Pasadena resident, was arrested and booked for assault with a deadly weapon, Lt. John Mercado said. Inside the apartment, police recovered two replica firearms, Mercado said, one a handgun and one an assault rifle.

Police said Solis was was booked at the Pasadena Jail on $200,000 bail.

“I am very proud of the officers and civilian staff involved in this extensive incident. Officers used great restraint, sound judgement, and effective tactics to arrest Solis,” Chief of Police Phillip Sanchez said in a written statement. “The successful outcome underscores the experience, courage, and dedication of our first responders who serve our community daily with commitment and courage.”

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