Police: LA County Man Arrested after Armed Hostage Situation, Stand-Off
A Los Angeles County man has reportedly been arrested after allegedly holding two women hostage while armed and standing off with police, according to a press release by Pomona PD.
On the early morning of March 20th, 2023, the Pomona Police Department responded to a call for service on the 600 block of North Reservoir Street. The call came from a woman who was reportedly concerned for her friend’s safety.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers were informed that there was a suspect in the incident who was potentially armed with a gun.
One woman managed to escape through a window and confirmed that she had been held against her will, with another woman still trapped inside the residence. The suspect had barricaded himself and the other woman inside the home, police said.
In response, the Pomona Police Department SWAT and Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) arrived on the scene and established a perimeter around the location. Residents in the immediate area were evacuated to a safe location.
Family members of the suspect reportedly arrived on the scene to assist officers in communicating with him. After over four hours of negotiations, the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Ricardo Alvarado of Pomona, ultimately surrendered himself to the authorities without incident. Firearms were discovered at the location, though no one was injured during the standoff.
Alvarado was taken into custody and transported to the Pomona City jail, where he was booked on several charges. These charges included assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment with violence, kidnapping, and removing, destroying, or damaging a wireless communication device to prevent someone from seeking help.
Police have yet to release details on Alvarado’s motive, or the nature of his relationship with the two victims.
The investigation into this incident is still ongoing, and the Pomona Police Department is encouraging anyone with information regarding the situation to contact them directly. Alternatively, those who prefer to remain anonymous can call “Crime Stoppers” at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).
