210 Freeway Chase Ends In Standoff/Misunderstanding

LOS ANGELES, CA —

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A man who initially called police to say he was suicidal or needed medical help led officers on a pursuit Thursday from Glendora to Eagle Rock, where he ran into a home and prompted a standoff that ended when police determined no crime had been committed.

Relatives told reporters the man, identified by them as Roberto Uribe, had a history of drug abuse. His brother, Ed Uribe, told KCAL9 the man is "a drug addict" who has no history of violence.

The pursuit began about 8 a.m. on the westbound Foothill (210) Freeway near Sunflower Avenue in the Glendora area, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officers were tried to contact the man after they were called regarding "a possible medical emergency," a CHP officer said, and followed the man's pickup onto the southbound Glendale (2) Freeway.

The driver exited on Verdugo Road and at one point stopped on a surface street and started to get out of the truck, but when he was confronted by officers with drawn weapons, he drove off.

The man drove to the area of Weldon Avenue and Drew Street -- and at one point was blocked by a plumber in a work truck who tried to intervene in the chase. But the man squeezed past the truck and parked outside a family home and ran inside.

Los Angeles police officers responded, and several people came out of the home about 9 a.m., but the man remained inside.

After about an hour, police determined the man had a medical problem and had not committed a crime.

"We were there to determine whether he was a danger to himself or others," said LAPD Officer Liliana Preciado. "We determined that no crime had occurred."

KCAL9 reported that after police left, relatives took Uribe to a CHP office, hoping to have him taken into custody and at least placed on a 72-hour mental evaluation hold.

The plumber who tried to intervene in the chase, Harmik Garrison, told Channel 9 he just wanted to help.

"If one out of 10 people in this world are willing, the United States will be a safe place," he said.

But LAPD Sgt. Jack Richter tried to discourage people from getting involved in a police action.

"We totally understand how people want to be involved in resolving some issues," Richter said. "We do not condone anybody getting involved. You've got the best-trained police department in the world right here in Los Angeles and you gotta let us do our job."

City News Service