UPDATE: Man arrested following standoff in East Pasadena


EAST PASADENA >> Deputies used teargas to arrest a man on suspicion after he threatened a shopkeeper with a large knife, smashed windows at the market and then holed up inside his apartment next door for five hours on Thursday, officials said.
Ceasar Jimenez, 27, was ultimately booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, making criminal threats and vandalism, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Mark Reyes said.
Deputies first responded to the market in the 3600 block of East Colorado Boulevard about 11:10 a.m. after receiving reports that a man in his 20s was breaking the glass in the business’ front door, Sgt. David Kearney said.
• Photos: Barricade in East Pasadena
Officials learned Jimenez had tried to take an item from the store without paying and was confronted outside by the store worker, according to Reyes.
Jimenez dropped the knife and left, but soon returned, armed with a large kitchen knife, and accosted the shopkeeper, Reyes said. The victim locked himself inside the store, and Jimenez began smashing windows.
When deputies arrived, they found the man had retreated into his apartment next door and refused to come out, he said.
The man was feared to be armed with a knife, officials said.
A sheriff’s Mental Evaluation Team responded to the scene and continued trying to persuade the man to surrender Thursday afternoon, according to Kearney. A sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau SWAT team was also summoned to the scene.
Sheriff’s officials asked residents via Twitter to avoid the area as the standoff continued, and nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution.
SWAT deputies ultimately fired teargas into the apartment about 4:30 p.m., prompting Jimenez to exit the home and surrender, Reyes said. He was taken to a hospital for examination as a precaution, but suffered no apparent significant injuries.
Jimenez was expected to be arraigned Monday in the Alhambra branch of Los Angles County Superior Court, Reyes said.

PHOTO by Walt Mancini

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