Police rescue kids after father tries to throw them off bridge in San Diego

Police rescue kids after father tries to throw them off bridge in San Diego

Father called a 'person of interest' in the death of his wife

San Diego Sheriff SWAT officers rescued four children Thursday after their father attempted to throw them off an interstate overpass. The dramatic ending of a two day manhunt for Eric Perez, 43, of Montebello played out on live TV shortly after eight in the morning.

The incident began Wednesday after the body of Erica Perez, 36, was found in the trunk of her Honda Accord. The vehicle was in a parking lot less than a mile from the family’s home in Montebello, Calif., a suburb 15 miles east of Los Angeles.

Relatives had reported the family missing Tuesday to Montebello Police. The family had not been seen or heard from since December fifth.

Relatives reportedly told detectives the couple had a troubled, violent marriage. Both also had criminal records. Detectives made numerous attempts to call Perez but he did not answer his cell phone.

After Montebello police could not locate the family, an amber alert was issued for Perez and his four children ages 6, 8, 9, and 11. Montebello Police Captain, Luis Gomez said Perez was a “person of interest” in his wife’s death while speaking to reporters.

Montebello police detectives activated an anti-theft tracker in a Toyota Camry authorities believed Perez was driving. The device alerted authorities to its location in El Cajon, a suburb of San Diego. El Cajon police located the Camry near Fayette and Vernon streets. Perez then attempted to flee with the kids.

Perez led officers on a 20-minute long pursuit, continuing west on Interstate 8 near highway 67, then north on State Route 125. Perez reportedly reached speed of up to 85 miles per hour. “He wasn’t completely reckless, but he wasn’t stopping for red lights and sirens,” California Highway Patrol Officer Kevin Pearlstein told reporters.

Perez stopped his vehicle on a 150-foot high transition road from northbound State Route 125 to East bound State Route 52. Up to 25 police officers surrounded the vehicle. Two of the four children escaped from the vehicle when it came to a stop, running to the safety of officers.

A tense, hour-long standoff then ensued as officers brought in a SWAT team from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. A hostage negotiator made contact with Perez through a cell phone. Perez reportedly told negotiators he was thinking of throwing the kids off the bridge.

“Something definitely changed, we decided we had to take a proactive approach instead of letting it play out.” Pearlstein Said. Officers believed Perez was not armed, however SWAT team members moved two armored vehicles up to the Camry.

Perez exited the vehicle holding one of his children while still on the phone with hostage negotiators. “When the child came out of the car, in a sense that forced our hand,” San Diego County Sheriff SWAT team Captain David Moss said.

Perez walked toward the railing of the overpass as SWAT team member moved in on him. At the edge of the overpass he attempted to pick one the children up. SWAT officers fired a bean bag round striking Perez. He let go of the child and then attempted to jump from the bridge as SWAT officers tackled him, ending the standoff.

According to El Cajon Police Chief Jim Redmond, Perez has refused to speak to officers. Chief Redmond went on to praise all the officers involved for the positive outcome. “ These type of incidents usually don’t end well.”

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