Man Arrested on Elder Abuse Charges After All-Night SWAT Team Standoff

Bay City News —  A San Ramon man was arrested on suspicion of elder abuse after an all-night standoff with a SWAT team at a home on Morning Glory Court.

Police were called to the home around 4 p.m. Thursday to a report that an elderly woman was being beaten by her adult son, San Ramon police said. 

Officers attempted to contact the woman and the suspect, who they identified as Steven Sanoff Jr., 44, but heard no response when they called and knocked on the door, police said. The San Ramon police SWAT team was called to the house and crisis negotiators continued to attempt to contact the victim and suspect.

After three hours, SWAT officers through the front window and saw Sanoff run upstairs, according to police. The elderly victim was able to leave the house.

Crisis negotiators continued to try to make contact with Sanoff, but were unsuccessful. After several more hours, SWAT officers released non-lethal chemicals into the house.

Five minutes later, Sanoff fled out the back door and was taken into custody after a brief struggle. Sanoff was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on suspicion of elder abuse and battery, police said.