Man Threatens Suicide at Big Lots in Newark

A man threatened to commit suicide at the Big Lots in Newark, California on Tuesday, which prompted shoppers to call the police.

Patch readers alerted us to the situation at 2 p.m. Tuesday, telling us that they heard police officers were inside the store, located in the 5400 block of Thornton Avenue, with their guns drawn.

Newark Police confirmed Wednesday that a “suspicious male” had been making suicidal threats inside the store. Early reports indicated the man had a firearm.  An on-site investigation revealed that the man was unarmed.

A police spokesperson said he was detained at gunpoint and removed from the store. He was sent to a nearby hospital for treatment.