Antioch hostage crisis ends after carjacking suspect surrenders

ANTIOCH, Calif. (KGO) -- A carjacking suspect was arrested after surrendering to police Wednesday, ending a police standoff that latest hours at an ARCO gas station in Antioch.

Antioch police said the suspect, a 35-year-old Newark man, stole a car in Walnut Creek Wednesday morning. A police chase began after the driver crashed that car around 11 a.m. at West 10th and Auto Center Drive in Antioch. He carjacked another car at the scene. Meanwhile, the car owner's cellphone was still inside the car and police were able to track the suspect's location through the phone.

"The victim of that vehicle had his cell phone in that vehicle and within minutes we began a track on that cell phone," said Antioch police chief Allan Cantando.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter was then able to follow the driver through Pittsburg, Concord and Brentwood and back to Antioch. The CHP then spiked the car's wheels, causing the car to crash on the L Street off-ramp near the ARCO gas station in Antioch.

The suspect then tried to force himself into cars on the off-ramp and pointed a .357 revolver at drivers. He also pointed a gun at a CHP officer. That officer fired a shot and missed.

David Brewster, a witness, said the suspect appeared to be desperate to get away. "I was coming off an exit to the freeway and stopped at the stoplight and the guy ran up to my car with the gun pointed at me trying to get in the door," Brewster said. "All I did was lay down in the seat and just floated. I came up the street and I heard a gunshot, then I heard one more. I just thank God I'm alive."

Witness Karen Idsoe believes her dog "Cash" made the suspect think twice before he ran into the ARCO gas station. "He ran to our car and tried to get into our car and saw him in the front seat and went to the car next to us," she said.

When he couldn't commandeer a car, the suspect ran to the ARCO gas station. He got inside and held two people hostage, the ARCO owner and an employee, for about three hours. At around 2:30 p.m., one of the hostages rolled up the door of a service bay and was able to escape. He was in his 40s or 50s and appeared disoriented as he exited the gas station. A small armored car took the him to the Antioch police station.

Antioch police negotiators called the suspect several times while he was inside the gas station convenience store. Police said they were then able to get him to give up. The second hostage and the suspect exited the gas station at 3:30 p.m. Police officers in their SWAT gear rushed in and took him into custody.

Police said the two hostages were not injured and would not say if they weer threatened inside the convenience store.

Investigators are still evaluating the multiple crime scenes involved in the pursuit.

The name of the suspect has not been released, but Cantando said he has an extensive criminal history including arrests for burglary, drugs and vehicle theft. He has no prior arrests in Antioch.

PHOTOS: Hostage situation at Antioch ARCO gas station

Bay City News contributed to this report.