Large Police Presence Called To Deal With Man On Sunland Roof

SUNLAND (CBSLA)  --  A large police presence was called to the scene of a man walking around and acting strangely on the roof of a 7-Eleven Thursday evening in Sunland, authorities said.

Several officers with the LAPD were on the roof trying to coax the man down.

They said the unidentified man wasn't threatening to harm himself but was "acting strange." Officials later told KCAL9's Rachel Kim they believe the suspect is homeless and was impaired on some kind of drug at the time of the incident.

The friend of the man's was also on scene trying to talk him down.

It was unclear if police were making headway during the situation but it was  described as "tense."

The man was accused of playing with and damaging the lights, throwing things at passersby and passing cars,and swinging his legs over the edge. The LAPD said the incident started around 6:45 p.m.

A LA City Fire contingent was also on scene in the event the man hurt himself or others.

The man came down off the roof around 8:15 p.m. Minutes later, he could be seen scuffling with several officers trying to subdue him. At one point, police said the man also damaged some fire truck equipment.

SWAT was eventually called to help get the man down.

The unarmed man was taken to a hospital for mental evaluation.

Kim spoke to Ignacio Navarete who was credited with getting his friend, he calls him "Skins," to come down. He said the man was recently released from prison and is having a tough time.

"His family moved out of town," says Ignacio, "It's kind of heavy for him. I guess he feels left out or something. I am close to him. I told him I didn't want him to lose his life or anything.  So I guess I tried to convince him to come down, you know. And it kinda just worked out."

No one was injured during the incident.

The suspect was also arrested on a vandalism charge.