Man Arrested after Reported Hostage Situation, Stand-Off in Healdsburg
A Sonoma County man was recently arrested following a reported hostage situation and police stand-off earlier this month.
According to a press release, the Healdsburg Police Department received a distress call from the 1300 block of Lupine Road on the night of Thursday, October 19. The caller reported a family member exhibiting severe agitation and engaging in destructive behavior.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers reportedly came across an adult male within the home who was actively damaging property, reportedly using what appeared to be a metal bar. Officers evacuated several people from the residence to protect their safety, but two individuals were unable to leave.
Additional officers responded to the scene, and support was requested from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. Emergency medical personnel from Bell’s Ambulance and Healdsburg Fire were also positioned nearby as a precaution and remained on standby throughout the incident, police said.
Over the next four hours, officers tried to establish contact with the individual inside in order to de-escalate the situation and get the remaining two individuals outside safely. During this time, the suspect reportedly began making threats, allegedly referring to the remaining occupants as hostages and making threats against both them and the officers. He also reportedly indicated an intent to harm officers specifically if they attempted entry.
He also allegedly continued to destroy property in the home with an axe and a knife, police said.
At around 1:30 AM, both hostages were successfully removed from the residence. Officers continued their negotiation efforts with the suspect for an additional two-and-a-half hours, eventually persuading him to come outside. At approximately 4 AM, the suspect turned himself over to police and was taken into custody without further incident.
Ernesto Botello, 19, was booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of making terrorist threats, false imprisonment, and obstructing officers. It was unclear at press time whether Botello had retained an attorney.
