A man has been arrested on suspicion of burglary after an hours-long effort with crisis negotiators at the Community Services Agency Wednesday morning.

On April 27 shortly before 7 am, officers responded to the 200 block of Stierlin Road for reports of a burglary with a potential suspect inside the building. Officers set up a perimeter and learned that a man was indeed inside the building, which houses the Community Services Agency.

When the man refused to leave the inside of the business, specially trained crisis negotiators with the Mountain View Police Department were called in to help peacefully and safely resolve the incident.

After several hours, a CSA employee assisted our officers with communicating with the man as she had helped him with CSA services in the past. Subsequently, the man exited the building. While officers were attempting to detain the suspect, identified as 38-year-old transient John Rivera, he began resisting and attempted to re-enter the building. As a result, an officer had to deploy a Taser to prevent him from barricading himself back inside the building. 

Rivera, who was not injured, was taken to an area hospital for a precautionary evaluation. He will be subsequently booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on charges of vandalism and burglary. No officers were injured in the incident.

“I am proud that we have a robust team of highly trained crisis negotiators who take such care and consideration on calls like these,” said Chief Chris Hsiung. “Every moment matters in these instances, and our goal always is for a safe resolution.”

Media inquiries can be sent to PIO Katie Nelson at policepio@mountainview.gov.