KIDNAPPING AND STANDOFF JG

A LOS ANGELES MAN IS BEING HELD AT THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY JAIL ON SEVERAL CHARGES STEMMING FROM A STANDOFF WITH SANTA CRUZ POLICE LAST FRIDAY. THE INCIDENT BEGAN WHEN 35 YEAR OLD ALEJANDRO GUZMAN TOOK A LARGE BUTCHER KNIFE FROM THE DELI COUNTER OF NEW LEAF MARKET LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ. HE THEN GRABBED A 7 YEAR OLD GIRL IN THE STORE. GUZMAN WAS SEPARATED FROM THE CHILD BY STORE CUSTOMERS. THE GIRL WAS UNHARMED. GUZMAN REFUSED TO SURRENDER AND BEGAN A NEARLY TWO HOUR STANDOFF. POLICE NEGOTIATED WITH GUZMAN AS HE STOOD ON PACIFIC AVENUE NEAR SOQUEL AVENUE. GUZMAN THREATENED SUICIDE AND TRIED TO PROVOKE OFFICERS INTO SHOOTING HIM. OFFICERS USED TASERS AND SPONGE ROUNDS TO TAKE GUZMAN INTO CUSTODY WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO WALK AWAY.