On March 20, 2023, the Pomona Police Department received a call for service around 4:15 AM reporting a woman was concerned for her friend’s wellbeing. Officers responded to the 600 block of N. Reservoir St. where they learned the suspect was reportedly armed with a gun.
One female escaped out of a window and confirmed that she was held against her will and there was a second female still inside. The suspect then barricaded himself and a female inside the residence. The Pomona Police Department SWAT and Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) responded and set-up a perimeter around the location. Community members in the immediate area were evacuated and taken to a safe location.
Family members of the suspect were on scene helping officers communicate with the suspect.
After more than four hours of communicating with the suspect, he ultimately surrendered. Officers safely took 29-year-old Ricardo Alvarado of Pomona into custody without incident. Firearms were recovered at the location. No one was injured during this incident.
Alvarado was arrested and booked at the Pomona City Jail on the following charges:
245(a)(2) PC – Assault with a deadly weapon
236 PC - False imprisonment with violence
207(a) PC – Kidnapping
591.5 PC– Remove, destroy, damage wireless communication device in order to prevent someone from using it to seek help
The Pomona Police Department is dedicated to using a variety of resources to ensure the safety of our community. Officers routinely go over skills and techniques on how to successfully de-escalate a situation so that it’s a part of their automatic response when they’re dealing with a crisis or critical incident situation.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Pomona Police Department at 909-622-1241. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).
** ORIGINAL MEDIA RELEASE**
UPDATE: The suspect was taken into custody without incident. No one was injured during this incident. Additional information will be provided when it becomes available.
Police activity in the 600 block of N. Reservoir St. There is a large police presence in the area. Several surrounding streets are closed to traffic. Please avoid the area and use alternate routes. Additional information will be provided when it becomes available.
