Assault-Rifle Suspect ID'd After Tips In Pleasant Hill

PLEASANT HILL, CA – After receiving leads today from the community, police identified a 33-year-old suspect who reportedly was seen carrying an assault-style rifle and wearing a ballistic vest Friday night near an apartment complex in Pleasant Hill, authorities said.

The man, who was not named, was detained without incident today outside his apartment on the 100 block of Boyd Road, the Pleasant Hill Police Department said.

Investigators determined the individual was suffering from a mental-health crisis and currently is receiving treatment at an area hospital, Sgt. Matt Kristic said.

"The County Mental Health Evaluation Team (MHET) has been notified and will be involved in the follow-up investigation to ensure public safety, proper treatment and a long term resolution," he said. "Criminal charges for weapons violations with the District Attorney’s office will also be sought."

Police were called Friday at about 10:30 p.m. to the 100 block of Boyd Road after receiving multiple calls reporting a man reportedly wearing a bullet-proof vest and carrying an assault rifle, said Lt. Dave Nichols of the Pleasant Hill police.

Arriving officers saw the man, dressed as described in a ballistic vest and in possession of an assault-style rifle, in front of the apartment complex at 100 Boyd, but he fled and eluded law enforcement, including a SWAT team, Nichols said.

The Pleasant Hill Police Department later today thanked members of the community who helped identify the man "and bringing this incident to a peaceful resolution."
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PREVIOUS: SATURDAY, FEB. 3, 6 a.m.

A man reportedly wearing a bullet-proof vest and carrying an assault rifle in the Pleasant Hill area eluded law enforcement, including a SWAT team, and is still at large this morning, authorities said.

Police were called Friday at about 10:30 p.m. to the 100 block of Boyd Road after receiving multiple calls reporting the armed subject, said Lt. Dave Nichols of the Pleasant Hill Police Department.

Arriving officers saw the man, dressed as described in a ballistic vest and in possession of an assault-style rifle, in front of an apartment complex at 100 Boyd, Nichols said.

The suspect fled, running into the Boyd Road apartment complex, he said, adding that local residents were contacted and told to shelter in place as police searched for the subject.

Officers established a search perimeter, received assistance from neighboring law enforcement agencies, and the Central County Regional SWAT team was called and searched the complex and surrounding areas, yet the man was not found, police said.

"The subject was not located, and his identity is currently unknown," Nichols said.

The suspect was described as white, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall with brown hair and a light beard. He reportedly was wearing a dark beanie cap, camouflage pants and a black ballistic vest.

Anybody with information regarding the suspect or the investigation is asked

to call the Pleasant Hill Police Department at (925) 288-4630.

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