Police respond to barricaded subject in Atascadero
A heavy police presence responded Friday evening to a domestic dispute that resulted in a subject barricading himself at a home in Atascadero.
Atascadero police Cmdr. Robert Molle said the department received a 911 call just after 5 p.m. about a domestic dispute in the neighborhood of Hidalgo and Buena avenues.
The location is on the east side of town, in the area near the Atascadero Mutual Water Co. yard.
“The information we received was there was a dispute at the location and the suspect had taken the victim into a room and barricaded it and refused to let her out,” Molle said. “Prior to our arrival, the victim was able to get out of the residence and make contact with the officers, while the suspect remained inside the residence and refused to cooperate.”
The area was largely blocked off as law enforcement responded to the incident. Yelling could be heard from the scene as groups of onlookers huddled nearby.
Molle said a relative helped to communicate with the suspect, who was not taken into custody on Friday night.
“We do have a crime,” Molle said, but he noted that the department chose to tactically disengage rather than risk escalating the situation.
“In this case, we decided that it was safer for all involved, including the victim and the neighborhood, to withdraw and file the case later with the District Attorney’s Office,” he said.
“The main concern for us is the victim’s safety,” he said. “In this case, the victim is comfortable with this decision.”
Molle said the department has not had previous contact with the suspect.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office sent negotiators to assist, and the CHP dispatched its helicopter to help as well, Molle said.
This story was originally published March 8, 2024 at 8:14 PM.
