A Corona man suspected of beating his girlfriend barricaded himself in his residence Wednesday when police attempted to arrest him, resulting in an hours-long standoff that ended when SWAT members fired tear gas into the home.
Jason Owens, 32, was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, resisting arrest and other allegations following the confrontation with police in the 1100 block of Grand Boulevard.
According to Corona police, officers were called to the location shortly before 3 a.m. to investigate reports of a woman in distress and encountered Owens' girlfriend, who alleged he had beaten her.
Sgt. Paul Mercado said attempts were made to coax Owens out of the house, but he barricaded himself inside. The SWAT unit was summoned after the woman told police that Owens had firearms on the premises, Mercado said.
He said tensions were amplified after it was confirmed the suspect had a prior conviction stemming from a police pursuit in Los Angeles County, and had recently been on probation for misdemeanor domestic battery in Riverside
County.
Officers shut down streets and surrounded the property while crisis negotiators attempted to convince Owens to surrender. He was flushed out of the house about 11 a.m. after several tear gas canisters were fired inside.
Neither Owens nor any officers were injured during the standoff.
