News

Actions

Suspect arrested in South Bakersfield standoff

Posted
and last updated

UPDATE: SWAT went inside and the suspect, 50-year-old James Stephens, was arrested.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE (8:40 am): According to the Kern County Sheriff's Department, Deputies arrived around 4 am on Dixon Street, just south of the 58, to reports of a man violating a domestic restraining order.

They found him inside a motor home in the driveway, but the door was locked.

He was waving a knife and holding it to his throat. 

Officials say he was given commands to surrender. But, he refused and threatened to kill the deputies and himself. 

The SWAT and Crisis Negotiation Team were called to the scene.

About 30 minutes ago, a loud ‘bang’ was reportedly heard.

Ray Pruitt confirmed a ‘flash bang' grenade was used. Deputies entered through the door and arrested the suspect.

He was arrested for stalking, brandishing a knife, felony resisting, and violating a domestic violence restraining order. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kern County Sheriff's deputies and Bakersfield Police are evacuating homes in the area of Colton Street in South Bakersfield after a man with a knife is refusing to leave a home.

According to Bakersfield Police, the incident began just after 5 a.m.

BPD says KCSO is leading the investigation, but BPD is helping with evacuation efforts. 

It's not known why the man is in the home.