Full Notification

SUBJECT: Subject arrested after breaking and entering into another person’s residence  
DATE/TIME: October 14th 2023 
LOCATION: 200 block of Madison, Redwood City  
 
Media Information: On October 14th at around 8:49 in the evening Redwood City Police Officers responded to the 200 block of Madison on the report of an adult male who was having a mental health episode The subject had broken into a neighbor’s house. Officers did not believe that the residence he had broken into was occupied, allowing them to focus on assisting the subject. Officers with Critical Incident Training (CIT) were first on scene. They are trained in crisis communication and de-escalation.  

The CIT trained officers tried to communicate with the subject but only received agitated responses. The supervisor on scene requested that members of the Crisis Negotiations Unit (CNU) respond to assist. CNU Officers receive training above and beyond what regular officers receive in communicating with subjects who are experiencing a mental crisis. Medics were also requested and staged nearby in case the subject harmed anyone or if he needed medical assistance.  

CNU members researched the subject’s past history and found he was known to carry weapons, often concealed on his person by strapping them to his arms and legs. The subject had a prior arrest for carrying a concealed weapon. It was unknown at the time if the subject was armed. It was unknown if there were any firearms in the residence that the subject had broken into.  

A certified crisis negotiator from the CNU unit attempted to get the subject to exit the residence. The subject responded by yelling at officers to shoot him and telling officers that if they wanted him to come out, they would have to come and get him. The negotiator attempted to communicate with the subject via a loudspeaker as well as calling him on the phone. At one point, the subject threw a phone at the negotiator, almost striking him. Negotiations went on for over two hours, with CNU officers trying to obtain a peaceful resolution to the situation. The Department’s civilian mental health professional, a clinician who works with officers who are dealing with mentally subjects, was also on scene.  

Four hours into the incident the subject exited the residence and began yelling at officers. To prevent him from entering the residence again or from advancing on and harming officers, he was struck once in the lower chest with a 40 millimeter less lethal round. The subject was then detained.  

The subject was then taken to the San Mateo County General Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and for a complete mental health evaluation. Once he was medically cleared, he was arrested for felony breaking and entering into a residence and for assault on a police officer.  

This case highlight’s this department’s use of CIT Officers, CNU negotiations experts, mental health clinicians and other resources to try to come up with solutions to subjects in mental health crisis that are posing a threat to the community. Our officers utilized time, distance and communications skills to come up with the best course of action for each situation. This allows officers to utilize as many de-escalation tools and skills necessary to successfully resolve the crisis.  

Nick Perna  
Lieutenant  
Investigations Commander  
Redwood City Police Department  
650-780-7672  
[email protected]  

This press release is approved for distribution by the Investigations Division Commander, Lieutenant Nick Perna