Newport Beach Suspect Arrested After Hours Long SWAT Standoff

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — A man was arrested for assault after an hours-long standoff on Tuesday. Scott Patrick Cole, a 36-year-old resident of Newport Beach, was arrested and charged with Battery with Serious Bodily Injury, Trespassing, Cause Harm to an Elder/Dependent Adult, Assault with a Deadly Weapon according to Newport Police.

On Tuesday, March 7, at 4:30 p.m., the Newport Beach Police Department’s Dispatch Center was notified of an assault at a residence in the 800 block of 15th Street, NBPD officer Jennifer Manzella said.

"On arrival, officers contacted the victim, who had fled to a neighbor’s home for safety," she said. "Staff from the Newport Beach Fire Department responded to the scene to render medical aid and transport the victim to a local hospital for further medical attention."

The nature of the injuries were not disclosed.

"Officers attempted to contact the suspect, identified as Scott Patrick Cole, at the residence where the assault had occurred, but he repeatedly refused to come to the front door," Manzella said.

Cole appeared extremely agitated and began breaking windows and objects inside the home according to officers on scene.

"He subsequently barricaded himself inside the residence and refused to come out," she said. "The Crisis Response Unit was activated, and members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) Team and Crisis Negotiation Team (C.N.T.) responded to assist with the incident."

A Newport Beach Police Department K9, Irvine Police Department K9, and members of the Irvine Police Department S.W.A.T. Team also responded in support of the Crisis Response Unit.

"After several hours of attempted negotiations, Cole still refused to engage with NBPD staff or leave the residence," she said. "His behavior continued to be erratic and destructive."

Officers obtained warrants to enter the home and to take the suspect into custody. Cole was safely apprehended without incident at just before 10:15 p.m.

Although initial information indicated that Cole was armed with a knife, that detail is still being investigated.

This investigation is still open and ongoing. Anyone with additional information on this case is encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant Ryan Peters at 949-644-3790. Messages may also be left anonymously on the Police Department’s recorded hotline at 1-800-550-NBPD.