IMPERIAL – A mentally ill man who threatened his neighbors and barricaded himself in his residence was subdued and arrested by law enforcement.
After receiving calls on Wednesday that a man was threatening individuals in the 600 block of Lilac Lane, Imperial police responded to the scene. Neighbors reported that the man, who was between 30 and 40 years old, had startled on woman and entered a residence, threatening the two occupants. According to Police Chief Miguel Colon, the man then returned to his own home where he locked his 85-year-old father out of the house and ignored the demands of officers to come out.
The man was believed to be mentally ill and his father reported that there were several firearms within the home. Police attempted to contact an Imperial County Behavioral Health Service crisis team in to assist with negotiations. However, they were unable to receive assistance.
At one point the man stepped out of the house, but immediately returned inside when he discovered that officers were still waiting outside. A K9 officer with the California Highway Patrol was released in order to subdue the man and was able to restrain him with only a minor bite.
The confrontation happened about a block from TL Waggoner Elementary School
The suspect was taken into custody and transported to El Centro Regional Medical Center. At this time, officers confiscated the firearms in the home. According to Colon, the new expansion of California gun laws required seizure of the weapons because of the proximity to a mentally ill individual. It is unlikely that the weapons will be released back to the owner.
While charges were written up of the suspect, Colon was doubtful that they would be filed based on the man’s mental status. As of Wednesday afternoon, authorities were attempting to locate a secure mental facility where the man could find treatment.
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