SWAT Team Seizes Barricaded Suspect

A Los Angeles police SWAT team early Friday arrested a 25-year-old car-theft suspect who had barricaded himself in a Sylmar motel after eluding police the day before, authorities said.

Detective Jim Atwell said two officers on patrol Thursday afternoon spotted Vincente Cervantes and an unidentified companion driving a stolen car in Sylmar. When the officers motioned the men to pull over, a short chase ensued, ending when the suspects collided with another car and abandoned their vehicle, Atwell said.

Police said a search of the car uncovered a room key for the Sterling Motel on San Fernando Road and officers set up a stakeout there. Cervantes showed up at 2:30 a.m. and entered his room, but then refused to come out, Atwell said.

A SWAT team was called and fired several tear gas canisters into the room before entering at about 4 a.m. and arresting Cervantes on suspicion of car theft, the detective said.

Cervantes was being held Friday at the Van Nuys Jail in lieu of $16,000 bail, Atwell said. Police were still searching for the second suspect.