Man Arrested After Standoff At Newport Beach Home Of Former 'Real Housewives' Star Elizabeth Vargas
NEWPORT BEACH (CBSLA) — One person was arrested after a SWAT standoff Tuesday night at the Newport Beach home of former "Real Housewives of Orange County" star Elizabeth Vargas.
The suspect was identified as Ryan Matthew Geraghty by police. According to Newport Beach police Geraghty is currently being held without bail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, extortion and a felon in possession of a firearm.
The standoff began at about 5:45 p.m. when police conducted a welfare check at the home located on the Balboa Peninsula in the 100 block of East Oceanfront, near East Balboa Boulevard and Medina Way, according to Newport Beach police. According to property records obtained by CBSLA, the home in question belongs to Vargas.
After two hours, officers entered the home and found one suspect "actively threatening the life of the victim." Vargas' manager, David Weintraub identified the victim as the former reality TV star.
"She was being held captive for a number of hours and is extremely thankful to the Newport Beach Police Department, who was able to rescue her and get her out of harm's way," Weintraub said in a statement. "She spent the entire night with the Newport Beach Police Department going over what exactly happened and she is just glad to be safely out of the situation."
Police reported that there were "possible felony suspects barricaded" inside. At approximately 7:40 p.m., police confirmed they had one suspect in custody and after searching the residence no other suspects were found.
Photos taken by TMZ showed a man being arrested, who TMZ identified as Vargas' ex-boyfriend.
According to TMZ, he had showed up at the home, argued with Vargas and then barricaded himself inside her home. Vargas left prior to the standoff and was unhurt.
East Balboa Boulevard between Island Avenue and Coronado Street was closed during the standoff.
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)