A South County SWAT Team consisting of the Lathrop, Ripon, and Manteca Police Departments negotiated the peaceful surrender of two armed suspects that had threatened neighbors with a rifle and then barricaded themselves in a home on Sunday night.  

According to the Lathrop Police Department, the incident began as a dispute between neighbors in the Mossdale area that escalated sharply when one of the parties produced a semi-automatic folding carbine rifle and threatened to shoot multiple people.

When officers arrived on scene two suspects ran into a nearby residence – prompting officers to cordon off the area and begin negotiating with the two suspects to peacefully surrender.

The decision was made to activate the regional SWAT Team – of which Lathrop Police are a member along with the Manteca and Ripon Police Departments – due to the nature of the incident.

Neighboring Tracy also lent a hand when they sent officers with their drone to provide an aerial view of the home, giving officers additional information that allowed them to, according to the agency, better protect neighboring homes and the wider community. After several hours the two suspects gave themselves up and were taken into custody.

Identified by authorities only as Lathrop residents, the two suspects were charged with making felony criminal threats, brandishing a firearm, being a felon in possession of a firearm, conspiracy, and resisting police. Both were booked into the San Joaquin County Jail.

“We are very thankful this incident ended peacefully and that no one was hurt,” the Lathrop Police said in the statement announcing the arrests. “We are also thankful for our SWAT Team, Ripon PD Dispatch, and Tracy PD for their teamwork with us.”

To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com.