Calif. hostage situation ends peacefully when suspect surrenders

Incident began when police in cruisers and helicopter pursued a man in a stolen car until he crashed

Associated Press

ANTIOCH, Calif. — A carjacker surrendered peacefully Wednesday after releasing two hostages who were held in a tense standoff with police at a convenience store in Northern California, authorities said.

The incident began when police in cruisers and helicopter chased a man in a stolen car until he crashed near the store then ducked inside as an officer fired a shot, Antioch police said.

The man then took the two people hostage.

Officers from multiple police agencies surrounded the building with guns drawn. One hostage was released and the other remained inside for another hour before the suspect agreed to surrender.

He came out with his arms up, lay face down in the parking lot and was quickly handcuffed. No injuries were reported.

Police did not immediately release the suspect's name.

The standoff caused traffic jams throughout the area after police closed portions of a busy highway and surrounding surface streets.

Antioch is about 45 miles northeast of San Francisco.