Sheriff's SWAT team deploys flash-bangs at Stockton home, arrests 2: spokesman
A man sheriff's deputies were pursuing "barricaded himself" in the home, a spokesman for the agency said.
"Do not point any weapons!"
A booming sheriff's megaphone broke the evening calm on Tuesday, moments before a group of armed deputies crowded in front of the door of a home in central Stockton and arrested two people.
By about 5:55 p.m., at least four San Joaquin County sheriff patrol vehicles and an armored truck had already surrounded the gray one-story home near 1200 Carlton Avenue — just north of Interstate 5 and several blocks west of Victory Park.
Deputies had been in the area since about 3 p.m. when they made their first attempt of the day to arrest 37-year-old Rudolph Delsie, San Joaquin County sheriff's spokesman Nicholas Goucher said.
As they tried to capture Delsie, he "barricaded himself" in the home, Goucher said.
'Ram our deputy'
The 37-year-old's run-in with law enforcement started about three weeks ago, the sheriff's spokesman said, when "one of our guys attempted to do a car stop on him."
"He fled with his girlfriend in the car (and) attempted to ram our deputy," Goucher said. "Him and his girlfriend both fled on foot from the car and were unable to be captured" that day.
Delsie's girlfriend was arrested earlier this week, Goucher said.
During the investigation, law enforcement determined Delsie was at a home on Carlton Avenue on Tuesday, Goucher said.
On Tuesday afternoon, the confrontation came to a head. At about 6 p.m. loud cracks from at least five flash-bang grenades rang out as a group of armed law enforcement officers tried to make their way into the home.
Flash grenades are meant to disorient suspects and can make it hard to breathe, forcing the person outside.
Delsie and a woman, whom the sheriff's office did not identify, came outside and surrendered, Goucher said. Law enforcement did not enter the home during the standoff, he added.
Moments later, law enforcement officers could be seen marching a person presumed to be Delsie toward the lawn.
The person in handcuffs — a dark-haired man in a white sleeveless shirt and jeans — either fell or was pushed to the ground in the front yard.
As law enforcement officers bent down toward him, a crowd of neighbors gathered against the crime scene tape began shouting at the officers.
"Don't put your foot on his neck!" one person yelled.
The woman inside the home was also handcuffed a few minutes later. No official charges had been filed against Delsie as of Tuesday evening, an online search of court records showed. Prosecutors will have 48 hours to charge or release him.
"It was scary just a few minutes ago when they got them out," resident Janice Wallace said. "I'm glad everyone is OK."
This is a developing story. Check back at Recordnet.com for updates.
Record reporter Aaron Leathley covers public safety. She can be reached at aleathley@recordnet.com or on Twitter @LeathleyAaron. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record athttps://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.