By Robin Epley
Chico Enterprise-Record
CHICO, Calif. — A standoff between a man claiming to have a firearm and police ended safely at a Chico business Sunday night with the apprehension of the suspect.
The incident started just after 5 p.m. at Johnny’s Lock and Safe, 1224 Mangrove Ave., when the suspect, identified as Michael Tomlinson, allegedly called Chico police to say he had locked himself in the establishment and would shoot any officer who came near, said Chico police Lt. Linda Dye.
Authorities arrived at the scene at about 5:08 p.m., according to witnesses, and blocked traffic in multiple directions in a perimeter defined by East First to Fifth avenues and Arbutus and Palm avenues. Businesses in the closed area were evacuated and some closed early.
All available units responded to the call and the graveyard shift was called in early.
Bryan Peck, who was working at Envee Hair Studio and Salon down the street from the business where the man had barricaded himself, said he saw officers pull out fence boards between a house and another business next to him in order to get a better angle to view the situation.
Dye said there was a large white van on the premises, and officers were prepared for a possible scenario where the man might attempt to use it for a getaway. Authorities placed spike strips near the van as a precaution to prevent the suspect from escaping.
Tactical teams and negotiators were also called in. Sgt. Rob Merrifield, normally the public information officer, was acting as lead negotiator.
He has been on the negotiating team for five years, Lt. Dye said.
Air support from the California Highway Patrol was declined, although some ground units from CHP were utilized. Officers from the Chico State University Police also assisted on the negotiating team.
After several hours, police deployed gas to draw Tomlinson out of the building, Dye said. He surrendered without incident.
Upon examination of the crime scene, it was determined he never had a firearm or explosives. Instead, Tomlinson was in possession of a toy.
According to scanner traffic, the closed area was beginning to open up at about 11 p.m.
Police are unsure of a motive for the standoff, but are treating the case as a mental health issue, Dye said.
Tomlinson will likely enter a 72-hour commitment. No charges have been filed.