Manhunt For Armed Suspect Causes 210 Freeway SigAlert

SUNLAND, CA — An intense manhunt in the hills around Sunland Tuesday morning for an armed suspect in a series of burglaries, prompted the closure of Foothill (210) Freeway on and off-ramps in the area.

The suspect, who was last seen armed with a rifle as he fled into the hills, is believed to be behind at least eight burglaries in the Western San Fernando Valley and Shadow Hills area.

Just after 4 a.m., police set up a command post and began to organize a search for the suspect. A Los Angeles Police Department SWAT team and several patrol cars including at least one K-9 unit combed the area around the 103000 block of Sunland Boulevard, according to LAPD Officer Lizeth Lomeli.

Police believe the man may be responsible for a string of residential and commercial burglaries. He was last seen in the area near the Green Verdugo Reservoir close to the Foothill (210) Freeway on property owned by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power before he ran away and began hiding.

A DWP security guard reportedly saw the suspect on a camera carrying a rifle and notified police. The man was described as Hispanic, about 30-40 years of age, with short dark hair.

"There is a possibility that this is a person experiencing homelessness," LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton told CBS2.

Officers urged people to stay inside their homes, and to call authorities if they see the suspect.

At about 5:30 a.m., the California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert for the closure of the east and westbound Sunland Boulevard off-ramps from the Foothill (210) Freeway to limit traffic from entering the area.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.