Watch CBS News

Shirtless Man Stays On Wet Los Angeles Roof For 5 Hours

EAST LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A robbery suspect climbed down from a roof of an East Los Angeles home after a five-hour standoff on a rainy Friday morning.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies were called to the house in the 5300 block of Grace Pl. around 7 a.m.

"Apparently a bail bondsman went to the location to make contact with this guy. He refused, they called our East LA station to assist them," Deputy Aura Sierra said.

The bondsman arrived at the house around 6:30 a.m. to apprehend 37-year-old Michael Vargas about a forfeited bail bond.

Vargas was hiding in an attic and climbed up to the roof half an hour later.

The shirtless suspect, who was also not wearing any shoes, was crouching on a chimney of a steep roof of a home reportedly belonging to his girlfriend's parents.

Once they arrived, deputies placed a ladder on the side of the house in an effort to coax him down, and he finally complied shortly before noon.

The shirtless suspect has a bench warrant out for burglary and grand theft. He was also previously on probation for possessing a firearm.

Deputies found another firearm and a bullet-proof vest in the house Friday.

Vargas will pick up two new charges, authorities said.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.