Probationer surrenders after leading Glendale police on chase, barricading himself in building
Glendale SWAT officers return to the command post on San Fernando Road after police negotiators convinced a barricaded suspect to surrender on Thursday, May 12, 2016.
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A fraud suspect who led Glendale police on a chase in a stolen car Thursday afternoon surrendered after barricading himself in an office building and telling police he was armed, authorities said.
Glendale SWAT officers dressed in tactical gear swarmed the scene while crisis negotiators spoke to the man — later identified as a 27-year-old probationer named Gregory Karkour — through a window.
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“I got a gun,” he told them, according to police. “I don’t want to go back to jail.”
He also told negotiators that he wanted to speak with his mom, who responded to the scene along with his sister.
Shortly before, Karkour allegedly tried to commit fraud at Target in Glendale, according to Glendale Police Sgt. Robert William.
When officers showed up, they saw the suspect jump in a car, which police determined had been stolen.
A Glendale police SWAT officer responds to the scene after a suspect barricaded himself in an office building following a car chase on Thursday, May 12, 2016.
A pursuit ensued after the man failed to stop, ending when he crashed at San Fernando Road and Colorado Street.
It’s not clear if other cars were involved.
Karkour subsequently ran into an occupied office building, where he barricaded himself in an office unit.
Multiple workers inside escaped.
Crisis negotiators convinced Karkour to climb out of the window and surrender, after which police took him into custody.
