Beaumont 'Suicide By Cop' Attempt Thwarted, Police Say

BEAUMONT, CA — Beaumont police Tuesday announced the arrest of a man who allegedly attempted to provoke officers into killing him by breaking out the windows of a local bus stop while armed with a knife. The 33-year-old Hemet man was ultimately arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism and resisting arrest — and was referred to a psychological evaluation, police said.

It happened in the 1500 block of 2nd Street Marketplace just before 4:30 p.m. Thursday, according to a news release from the police department. Elroy Ruben Saenz III was spotted at the bus stop in front of Wal-Mart with a knife and a caller told police that the man was likely attempting "suicide by cop."

"Officers arrived at the location and observed the subject, armed with a knife," police said. "The subject responded to the officers’ arrival by attempting to approach them. Officers were able to subdue the subject using less than lethal force and placed the subject into custody."

No injuries were reported.

"Upon interview of the subject... [he] admitted to officers that he intended to provoke officers into a lethal encounter," police said.

Jail booking information was not immediately available for Saenz.

— Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone / City News Service contributed to this report.