Rancho Palos Verdes Man with Mental Health Issues Arrested Following Domestic Violence

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA -- A 31-year-old man was arrested in a domestic dispute Thursday in Rancho Palos Verdes and authorities praised the mental health training used to get the uncooperative suspect into custody.

Deputies from the Sheriff's Lomita Station responded around 11:20 a.m. to the 28600 block of Mount Whitey Way, regarding a call of a man suspected of assaulting a family member and suffers from mental health issues, according to Capt. Dan Beringer.

The man, who resides at the location with his family, has a history of violent confrontations with deputies, Beringer said.

First responders encountered the "extremely uncooperative" man, perched upon a rock waterfall above a pool in the corner of the yard, Beringer said.

Deputies described him as agitated as he refused orders to come down and speak with them.

Knowing his history, deputies requested a crisis negotiation team, Beringer said.

While awaiting their arrival, Deputy Michael Sampson assigned to the Lomita Station and recently trained in dealing with individuals in mental distress, calmly engaged the man in conversation, Beringer said.

In a matter of minutes, Sampson was able to persuade the man to surrender peacefully to the deputies.

The suspect was taken to County-USC Medical Center's jail ward for booking on suspicion of elder abuse, Beringer said.

"This was a perfect example of putting our mental health training to use to end a potentially violent situation peacefully, and without injury to the suspect or deputies," Beringer said.

-- City News Service, photo via Shutterstock