Police Didn’t Take Chances in Hostage Call

After calling in a remote-controlled robot, armored vehicle, SWAT-trained officers and medical standby, Gilroy police found an empty house instead of one in which armed men were holding residents hostage on the 7700 block of Santa Barbara Drive, according to police spokesman Chad Gallacinao. 

There were already suspicions that the caller who reported the incident was lying, but the spokesman said there was no room to take chances when lives might be at stake.

“For safety reasons, we had to go with standard protocols to ensure our safety and that of the residents,” said Gallacinao.

Gilroy police and the California Highway Patrol shut down the surrounding streets shortly after receiving the call at 2:34 p.m.

In the two hours that followed, police set up a command post on Third Street that ultimately included Police Chief Denise Turner herself and multiple captains. An engine from the Gilroy Fire Department’s Las Animas station stood by to provide medical aid if needed.

A team of officers approached the house under the cover of the heavily armored Bear Cat vehicle, sending in the remote-controlled robot to begin the search.

Police found the house to be empty, completing the sweep at 4:12 p.m., said police spokeswoman Amanda Stanford.

Two schools, Brownell Middle School and El Roble Elementary, were on lockdown during the incident, said Stanford. Police called off the lockdown at 4:13 p.m.

The investigation is ongoing, said spokesman Gallacinao.

The call itself did not come from within the home, Stanford said. Police were able to contact the actual residents, who confirmed that they had not reported the incident.