Hours-Long Standoff In RivCo Prompted By Domestic Violence Call

CORONA, CA —A domestic violence call turned into an overnight standoff between Corona police and a suspect who surrendered peacefully Tuesday, with no injuries to officers or civilians.

Scott Augustine was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats and domestic assault and taken to the Corona jail, but he was expected to be transferred to the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside.

According to Corona police Lt. Adam Roulsten, patrol officers were sent to the suspect's house in the 1500 block of Marshall Lane, near Kellogg Park, about 5 p.m. Monday to investigate a report of domestic abuse.

"There was an intimate partner of the suspect who was victimized," Roulsten told City News Service, without disclosing the woman's identity or the exact circumstances of the alleged assault.

The lieutenant said a loud bang, similar to a gunshot, was heard inside the residence as officers approached, and they immediately took cover, requesting assistance.

"We're still investigating to determine whether he fired a gun or something else," Roulsten said.

Officers escorted the woman away from the house, and a SWAT unit deployed to the location, with officers surrounding the property and directing neighbors to shelter in place.

"There were numerous attempts to make contact with the suspect, by way of the public address system and phone calls, but he wouldn't respond," Roulsten said.

At about 1 a.m., SWAT personnel used a "diversion tactic," possibly a flash-bang grenade, to draw Augustine out, and it worked, leading to his stepping out the front door with his hands raised, at which point he was taken into custody, according to Roulsten.

Police said a search of the property resulted in the seizure of four guns.

— By City News Service