Felony suspect in custody following Newhall perimeter search

A man wanted on a felony charge by officers of the Los Angeles Police Department who was spotted in Newhall sparked a neighborhood to be cordoned off and a manhunt launched for the suspect on Wednesday.

At 4:30 p.m., the suspect was handcuffed and placed in a cruiser.

When asked to confirm widespread media reports that the suspect was wanted on suspicion of murder, LAPD Sgt. Mike Lopez said he could only confirm the suspect was wanted on a felony charge.

About 3:30 p.m., more than two dozen deputies of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station converged on the intersection of Pine and Market Streets, immediately setting up

a containment area.

“This is an LAPD case and our vehicles are over there to help out,” Sgt. Eric Caplinger of the SCV Sheriff’s Station said.

A check with the LAPD revealed only that a man was being sought.

“At about 2:45 p.m., a suspect led us to the Newhall,” Lopez of LAPD said.

“We followed the suspect in the (San Fernando) Valley, which led us to your area,” he said. “The suspect was seen exiting the vehicle and a perimeter was set up.”

About 4 p.m., LAPD officers stepped up the police presence inside the perimeter, calling in the K-9 unit and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Arson/Explosives Unit — meaning the police dog and the bomb squad.

When asked why the bomb squad was called in, LASD Sgt. Benjamin C. Grubb said: “We are assisting LAPD regarding a containment only. It is in fact an LAPD handle.”

Cory Rubin/The Signal A felony suspect who was the subject of a pursuit that ended near 6th and Pine streets in Newhall is taken into Los Angeles Police Department custody Wednesday evening.

Cory Rubin/The Signal (Above) Los Angeles Police Department officers and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies discuss the plan to search for a felony suspect Wednesday evening in Newhall following a pursuit. (Right) An LAPD K-9 officer joins the search for a felony suspect. (Left) LAPD officers prepare to make entry to an apartment complex to search for a felony suspect.