Nude man who burst into family’s home arrested after hourslong standoff

After nearly five hours of unsuccessful negotiation, the Modesto police SWAT team entered a home off Yosemite Boulevard and took into custody a man who had burst into the home naked, chased out the family and ransacked the residence.

About 4 a.m., a 911 caller reported that a nude man had broken into the house in the 3500 block of Jarena Drive, Sgt. Lance Nicolai said. There was a lot of screaming in the background during the call.

When officers arrived, the residents – two adults and a baby – ran out, followed by the man, the sergeant said. It appeared he was chasing them. The man was carrying a mirror, which he smashed on the ground, then ran back inside, Nicolai said.

The residents identified the 29-year-old man as an estranged relative who did not live at the house and was not welcome there, Nicolai said. They said the man, whose name has not been released, has a mental illness.

One of the patrol officers who responded is a negotiator on the Police Department’s Critical Incident Team and attempted to establish communication with the man, Nicolai said.

Because the situation was unchanged hours later, the SWAT team was called in.

SWAT sent a camera-equipped robot inside to determine where the man was. The camera showed that he was hiding behind an overturned couch and had partially barricaded the front door, Nicolai said.

He no longer was nude, having put on a T-shirt and what looked to be pajama pants. Nicolai said the man “demolished” property inside as he ransacked the house.

When SWAT officers entered, “they were able to take him into custody with no force – no beanbags, nothing,” Nicolai said. “That was our whole goal, doing everything we could not to hurt him.”

The man was badly bitten by the family dog, so he was taken to a hospital by ambulance for treatment of the wounds and for evaluation to determine if he was under the influence of drugs, Nicolai said.

Ultimately, the man will be charged with vandalism, trespassing and probation violation, the sergeant said. The family members were not injured.

This story was originally published November 25, 2016 at 11:11 AM with the headline "Nude man who burst into family’s home arrested after hourslong standoff."