Standoff Shuts Down PCH In Malibu

MALIBU, CA — Police shut down all lanes of PCH in Malibu where an assault suspect was barricaded in a van Wednesday morning.

Authorities are working to take the man into custody in the 29000 block of Pacific Coast Highway in the Point Dume area near Zuma Beach, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. All lanes of PCH have been closed from Heathercliff Road to Busch Drive.

Motorists were advised to seek alternate routes around the area.

The standoff began about 5 a.m., when deputies attempted to cite the suspect for a parking violation, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and reports from the scene.

The man may have an arrest warrant, and he assaulted the deputies with a fire extinguisherwhen they approached his white van, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Zeko told KTLA.

Broadcast reports showed a spray of white foam in the road around a white van blocked in on the side of the road by sheriff's department vehicles.

"Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) personnel are responding to assist Malibu/Lost Hill’s Station with a barricaded assault with a deadly weapon suspect in his vehicle," the sheriff's department announced. "SEB personnel will assume tactical command and Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) is attempting to make contact with the suspect to bring this to a peaceful conclusion."

As of 7 a.m., the standoff continued.

City News Service contributed to this report.