Man Flees Officers, Takes Hostages

A man fleeing police over a minor traffic violation burst into a Huntington Beach home Saturday night and took a couple hostage for more than an hour before escaping into the night, authorities said.

Robert Darling, 41, is suspected of holding the couple prisoner as police officers nearby unsuccessfully scoured the neighborhood for him, said Huntington Beach police Lt. JB Hume. No one was hurt in the ordeal, he said.

Officers first tried to stop Darling’s car around 5:30 p.m. when they saw him make an illegal turn. Darling refused to stop and led police on a mile-long car chase before fleeing on foot, Hume said.

After losing sight of him, police cordoned off a wide area.

Three hours later, a couple arrived at police headquarters and said they had been taken hostage at their home, Hume said.