Barricaded Suspect in Rape Captured

A tense 16-hour standoff between police and a suspected rapist ended Friday morning when police fired tear gas into a Placentia home and then overpowered the man.

Richard Bilski, 32, was booked at Orange County Jail on suspicion of rape after he was subdued by members of the Sheriff’s Department Special Weapons and Tactics team about 6:15 a.m.

Lt. Ken Rowley of the Placentia Police Department said that just before 3 p.m. Thursday, officers went to the Evergreen Circle home, where Bilski lives with a friend, to question him about the alleged rape earlier that day of a 24-year-old Anaheim woman.

Because Bilski refused to answer the door and officers had been told by the alleged rape victim that he was armed, Rowley said, the SWAT and negotiating teams were requested.

Once the house was surrounded and several neighboring residences were evacuated, officers tried to talk Bilski into surrendering, but he refused throughout the night, according to Rowley.

At one point during the standoff, Rowley said, several gunshots were heard inside the house, but officers did not fire in response.

Finally, Rowley said, the SWAT officers launched their assault and Bilski was arrested. No one was injured.

Bilski reportedly moved to California recently from Illinois where, according to Rowley, he also is wanted on fugitive warrants.