STANDOFF ENDS WHEN SWAT ENTERS AN EMPTY HOME

A family disturbance disrupted an Orcutt neighborhood early Wednesday
morning after a conflict over use of a family car led to reports of a
suicidal man barricaded in a home. But four hours of SWAT activities ended
when authorities found no one inside the house.

At 6:30 a.m., relatives reported that 26-year-old man had armed himself
with a large knife in a home on the 3800 block of Los Padres Road and was
threatening to harm himself. Family members told deputies he had been
drinking, arguing with his younger brother who had been trying to stop him
from driving the family car while intoxicated, and that there were firearms
in the home, explained Sgt. Mike Burridge, sheriff's spokesman.

Hostage negotiators attemtped to contact the man they believed to be inside
the home, but there was no response. Streets were also closed and neighbors
were asked to evacuate.

Four hours later, members of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Special
Weapons and Tactics team entered the home where they found no trace of the
man and no signs he had attempted to committ suicide.

Later Wednesday the man's mother contacted him by telephone, determining he
was OK.

Burridge said the incident remains under investigation.

(c) Santa Maria Times, Inc., 1998

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)