Arizona man charged after hostage situation in Burbank home

A 27-year-old Arizona man was charged this week after allegedly forcing his way into a Burbank home looking for his estranged wife and holding several of her family members hostage at gunpoint while demanding money, police said.

Police believe Irving Gildaro Delgado, of Tolleson, Ariz., drove from Arizona to Burbank before sunrise Saturday morning and waited in the backyard of a home in the 1700 block of Rose Street for someone to open the back door, said Burbank Police Sgt. Claudio Losacco.

When the door was opened, he reportedly forced his way in looking for his estranged wife.

At around 7:35 a.m., a woman called 911 whispering about an abduction, Losacco said.

When police arrived, several people were running from the home, warning officers about an armed man inside holding several people hostage and demanding money.

Officers surrounded the home while a Burbank crisis negotiator at the scene reached Delgado over the phone.

During the negotiations, some hostages escaped, while others were let go, Losacco said. Delgado’s estranged wife was able to hide and escape from the situation early on.

In total, six adults and five minors — members of her family — had been inside the home when Delgado forced his way inside.

At around 9 a.m., the crisis negotiator was able to get Delgado to walk outside, unarmed, and surrender to officers, Losacco said.

He was reportedly wearing body armor and had been armed with an assault rifle, a handgun and extra ammunition.

In his car, which was parked a block away, investigators found a handwritten note signed by Delgado taking sole responsibility for the incident, as well as more ammunition, Losacco said.

No shots were fired, and no injuries were reported during the incident.

Delgado pleaded not guilty Tuesday to one count each of first-degree burglary and attempted first-degree residential robbery, as well as three counts each of assault with a firearm and false imprisonment, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

Some of the charges carry special enhancements for wearing a body vest and personally using a rifle.

Delgado is being held in lieu of $400,000 bail.

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Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com

Twitter: @atchek