Local News in Brief : 2 Arrested After Standoff
A woman, apparently suffering drug-induced hallucinations, and a male companion armed with a handgun were arrested Monday in a three-hour standoff with police at a Santa Monica apartment complex, authorities said.
The woman, Pamela Homan, 38, was taken into custody when she emerged from the apartment carrying an eight-inch butcher knife, tripped and fell, Santa Monica Sgt. Barney Melekian said. The man, Charles Marsh, 45, of Culver City, surrendered earlier. Both were booked for possession of cocaine after police found 10 grams of cocaine in the apartment, he said.
Police, responding to a burglary call from Homan, arrived at the 16-unit complex at 2021 California Ave. shortly before 8 a.m. Monday and heard three or four gunshots inside the apartment and a woman screaming.
Marsh told investigators that he and Homan had used cocaine and that she “became convinced that a prowler was in the closet,” Melekian said. That prompted Marsh to shoot “at imaginary people,” he said.
Police evacuated the building and blocked off the area until Marsh surrendered and Homan finally emerged, he said.
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