Riverside Police Department Press Release

Armed Suspect

Riverside, California - On April 24, 2000, at approximately 0945 hours, the Riverside Police Department responded to the Downtown Fire Station Number 1 and took into custody a man who was armed with a loaded 9mm handgun and a knife.  The suspect had called the Fire Department last week complaining that his neighbors were pumping natural gas into his home in an attempt to harm him.  The Fire Department conducted an inspection of his home and found nothing to show that anything was wrong.  Today the suspect telephoned the Fire Station and stated he was en route to their office to further discuss his concerns and mentioned that he would be armed with a gun.

When he did arrive prior to the police department's arrival, fire personnel did confirm that he was armed with a concealed firearm and they detained the suspect.  Police arrived moments later and took the suspect into custody.

After interviewing the suspect, police transported him to ETS (Emergency Treatment Services) for a mental health evaluation.  Criminal charges of carrying a loaded concealed firearm and a concealed dirk or dagger are pending this evaluation.

The suspect is 69 years of age and a Riverside resident.  His identity is being withheld pending further investigation.

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