Police apprehend suspect who barricaded himself inside a room at the historic Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. (KTLA-TV / March 10, 2011) |
LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- Police apprehended a suspect who was barricaded inside the famed Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles early Thursday morning.
Authorities say the incident began at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, after a security guard reported an armed man holed up inside a room on the 31st floor of the high rise.
The man had apparently been told by security to leave the hotel, after it was determined his credit card was not valid.
The man refused to leave, and told security that he had been smoking marijuana and doing narcotics all day. The suspect also threatened that he had a gun.
A SWAT team was called to the hotel.
Guests on at least one floor of the hotel were evacuated as firefighters set up a command post in the lobby downstairs.
Authorities tried to negotiate with the man, but were not successful, according to LAPD Capt. Todd Chamberlain.
Police finally shot some tear gas into the room, Chamberlain said, and apprehended the suspect around 4 a.m.
No one was hurt.
Authorities say the incident began at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, after a security guard reported an armed man holed up inside a room on the 31st floor of the high rise.
The man had apparently been told by security to leave the hotel, after it was determined his credit card was not valid.
The man refused to leave, and told security that he had been smoking marijuana and doing narcotics all day. The suspect also threatened that he had a gun.
A SWAT team was called to the hotel.
Guests on at least one floor of the hotel were evacuated as firefighters set up a command post in the lobby downstairs.
Authorities tried to negotiate with the man, but were not successful, according to LAPD Capt. Todd Chamberlain.
Police finally shot some tear gas into the room, Chamberlain said, and apprehended the suspect around 4 a.m.
No one was hurt.
