Robbery suspect in custody after chase, 6-hour standoff in Canyon Country

CANYON COUNTRY, Calif. (KABC) -- An armed robbery suspect barricaded himself inside a vehicle for hours at the end of a cul-de-sac in Canyon Country after a chase involving sheriff's deputies.

The standoff finally ended after nearly six hours when deputies flushed the suspect out with tear gas and took him into custody.

The incident began around 6:20 a.m. with a report of a robbery on the 2800 block of Bouquet Canyon Road, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Responding deputies spotted the suspect in the area and he fled, initiating a pursuit.

But the suspect soon turned down a cul-de-sac on the 19200 block of Newhouse Street and his path out was blocked in by the pursuing deputies.

He apparently threw a handgun and ammunition clip out the window of the SUV but refused to come out and surrender. Deputies later retrieved the weapon and clip from the ground while the standoff remained ongoing.

The SUV had at least two flat tires, possibly the result of a spike strip.

The vehicle was boxed in tightly by Special Enforcement Bureau armored vehicles as deputies continued to negotiate with the suspect for several hours.

The area of Delight Street and Whites Canyon Road was closed off and the public was asked to avoid the area. Neighbors were asked to evacuate their homes and deputies escorted them on ladders to climb over backyard walls to get to safety.

The deputies finally made their move just before 12 p.m., breaking a back window and dropping first one and then a second tear gas canister into the vehicle. Smoke could be seen pouring out the windows as the suspect finally staggered out the passenger side door. Deputies quickly took him into custody.