SWAT Team Uses Tear Gas On Homeless Man Barricaded In Venice Apartment

VENICE (CBSLA.com) — An LAPD SWAT team was called to a Venice apartment Saturday after a homeless man suffering from mental illness broke in and barricaded himself inside for more than six hours, according to authorities.

At approximately 9 p.m., officers finally resorted to using tear gas and sending in a K-9 unit to force the man out, according to LAPD Sgt. Kevin Lowe.

The suspect was treated for tear gas inhalation at a hospital. No one was hurt.

The incident began in the 1400 block of Venice Boulevard near the intersection of Glyndon Avenue at around 1:15 p.m.

Witnesses told authorities that the man had been creating a "ruckus" near the apartment complex.

Officers were called but unable to do anything since the man wasn't breaking any laws.

A couple had come out of their apartment to see what was going on when the man ran into their unit, locked the door and refused to come out.

Officers called the SWAT team because the couple said they had a loaded gun in the apartment.

Lowe said that his officers had seen the homeless man earlier that day and were unable to take him into custody on a "5150 hold," which permits authorities to hold someone in custody for 72 hours of observation if they present a danger to themselves or others.