Police Take Suspect Into Custody on 20th Street near San Vicente After Barricade Situation

Police ended a barricade situation in the 200 block of 20th Street on Friday evening. It followed a home invasion and stabbing at 21st Street and Carlyle, a couple of blocks away.

Police responding to a report of shots fired encountered one suspect, who fled into the backyard of a home in the 200 block of 20th Street and was immediately surrounded by officers. The man barricaded himself at the rear of the home but had no hostages, said Santa Monica police Lt. Saul Rodriguez.

"We are actively in negotiations with the suspect to try to call him out," Rodriguez said at about 8:45 p.m., shortly before the arrest. "We are trying to get the guy into custody as quickly and safely as possible." The SMPD were investigating a report that a second suspect had fled the scene by car.

The home invasion was reported in the area of 21st Street and Carlyle Avenue sometime before 6:40 p.m. According to Santa Monica police, at least two suspects broke into a home. During the course of the robbery, two people inside the home were hurt. Some witnesses reported the 2 had been stabbed.

Witnesses saw blood in the driveway of the home. One person posted that the attackers had swung hatchets at the victims, causing serious multiple injuries. The two victims were transported to a nearby hospital with injuries believed to be non-life threatening, police said.

Separately, a black Prius hit two pedestrians at the corner of Montana Ave. and 11th Street in Santa Monica. It was not immediately clear if this incident is related in some way to the ongoing barricade situation.

Santa Monica Police have tweeted that residents should avoid the area between 17th and 21st street, in the 100 to 300 block.

A home invasion was initially reported in the area of 21st Street and Carlyle Avenue. Two victims were transported to a nearby hospital. One post on social media read: "There were 4-5 suspects. They had knives and hatchets. They attacked my nephew, he offered them gold, his watches, the cars, they refused all. All he took were five $20 bills from my nephew and his phone. I did see a gold mustang with black stripes take off toward Montana when I arrived. The police have been tracking one suspect."

Residents reported seeing a "Swat Team" type HumVee or other vehicle in the neighborhood North of Montana. There are reports on social media of the perpetrators using hatchets.

As of 7:30 p.m., Santa Monica police were in a standoff with a barricaded suspect at a residence in the 200 block of 19th Street. Police were asking residents to stay inside and keep their doors and windows closed.

The neighborhood North of Montana is the 90402 zip code, often the single priciest zip code for homes in the entire United States. One could surmise why it might be a magnet for criminals. On the other hand, Santa Monica does have a heavy police presence, and violent crimes perpetrated against residents in their homes are rare. Local residents gaped as a Swat team vehicle drove down Montana Avenue.