San Jose Police Standoff That Shut Down Hwy 101 Comes To Dramatic End
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- A police standoff with a reportedly despondent man on U.S. Highway 101 shut down the freeway at Alum Rock Avenue in San Jose in both directions for hours until the man fled that scene and was eventually detained.
The incident started at about 1 p.m. The 511.org Twitter account first posted about the police activity at 1:20 p.m., initially saying that southbound lanes of the freeway were closed.
Shortly after 2 p.m., CHP reported that police activity on northbound and southbound U.S. 101 south of Alum Rock Avenue had closed all lanes. Northbound traffic is being diverted off the freeway onto Alum Rock Avenue, while southbound traffic is exiting at McKee Road.
No information was provided by law enforcement as far as what triggered the police activity or the nature of the incident, though some people were saying it was a police standoff on social media.
There were reports that CHP and a San Jose police negotiator were speaking with a man who had pulled over to the side of 101 and was emotionally disturbed.
Sometime after 3 p.m., the suspect drove his vehicle off the freeway and into the residential neighborhood around the Alum Rock exit with officers following him.
The driver led authorities on a reckless, high-speed chase, turning into oncoming traffic at high speeds.
He was seen in video shot by Chopper 5 veering around other drivers in residential areas.
At one point, the driver pulled into two gas stations, stopping first at a Shell station before ending up at a 76 station on Santa Teresa Boulevard to fill up his car.
After driving around the area for 20 to 30 minutes, shortly before 4 p.m., the suspect stopped in a liquor store parking lot and was and surrounded by officers with guns drawn. He eventually surrendered to authorities.
CHP confirmed that Highway 101 had reopened as of 3:48 p.m. Drivers should expect some residual delays.
