Stand Off On Altura

According to Sgt. Tom Lorenz of the Glendale Police Department, around 3 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, a Glendale patrol officer was flagged down by a citizen who stated that he had noticed a white pick-up truck parked in front of a duplex in the 2800 block of Altura Avenue in La Crescenta with two different license plates. After investigating, the officer found that the vehicle identification number had been reported as stolen in Bakersfield.

The officer returned to his patrol car and backed down the street to wait for another patrol unit to arrive. In the meantime, a man, later identified as Winston Baker, 26, of Sunland, came out of the residence, got into the white truck and prepared to drive away. The officer drove up to the vehicle, and when Baker noticed him, ran out of the truck and into the front unit of the duplex. The officer attempted to contact him with no success.

"We did get an elderly lady out of the back of the house [unit]," Lorenz said. She was not certain if she knew who was in the front unit.

Because the area is only a few blocks from La Crescenta Elementary and Crescenta Valley High schools, the decision was made to have the students exit out the west side of the schools.

Shortly after 4 p.m., a spokesperson for the district confirmed that the schools were in lock down.

As another precaution, the Glendale police closed down Altura Avenue from Rosemont Avenue to La Crescenta Avenue.

"We couldn't get a response from Baker," Lorenz said.

The GPD called in the Special Weapons and Tactics [SWAT] team consisting of 24 members, in addition to a 10 member crisis negotiation team, 18 police officers, five detectives and two school resource officers.

A little after 6 p.m., SWAT fired a "flash bang" close to the duplex. This is just a loud noise to get their attention, Lorenz said.

Tom McCollum and his family live in the 2700 block of Altura, and they were evacuated due to the police activity.

"It is crazy, just crazy with all the traffic and not letting anyone through," McCollum said.

"I saw two people go into the house," said his six-year-old son who was excited about all the commotion.

McCollum said he was not really concerned for his safety.

"They [the police] look like they have everything pretty much under control," he said.

According to Lorenz, after receiving a search warrant, SWAT entered the home just before 8 p.m., but found no one there. Police are now looking for the "parolee at large." Anyone who has information can contact the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's station at 248-3464.

For updated information, visit our website www.crescentavalleyonline.com.

— Charly Shelton

contributed to this story