Armed man on the loose after making criminal threats in El Rio area

EL RIO, VENTURA COUNTY (KABC) -- An armed man threatening to hurt his family members was reported Saturday outside a home in the unincorporated El Rio area of Ventura County.

Ventura County sheriff's deputies responded to a home in the 1000 block of Will Avenue at about 10 a.m. SWAT, bomb and tactical negotiations teams were also called in. The house was found to be empty and no suspect was located, Capt. Don Aguilar said.

Several roads were closed at about 2 p.m. due to the incident. They were reopened at about 5:30 p.m.

The suspect was later identified as Ralph Lopez. He was described as a 21-year-old Hispanic male, standing around 6 feet, weighing about 200 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on Lopez's whereabouts was urged to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.