Local News in Brief : Huntington Beach : Suspect Arrested After Fleeing Hostage Scene

A hostage situation in Huntington Beach ended Wednesday with no injury to the victim and the arrest of the gunman, police reported.

Lt. Charles Poe, of the Huntington Beach police, said a man visiting his former girlfriend at an apartment in the 8000 block of San Angelo Drive about 5:30 p.m. began assaulting her with a handgun. The young woman’s roommate came to the apartment during the struggle, and the man seized her and held her at gunpoint, Poe said.

Police did not disclose the identities of either young woman, but identified the suspect as James Vincent Polloreno, 29, of Costa Mesa.

Poe said the suspect’s former girlfriend escaped during the hostage situation and notified police. The gunman had fled by the time officers arrived at the scene, but a countywide police alert was sent out. Poe said Costa Mesa police, having been given the suspect’s address in that city, spotted the man as he was leaving his residence. Following a brief chase, the man was arrested without incident and handed over to Huntington Beach officers.

Poe said Polloreno was booked into the Huntington Beach Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.