Fresno suspect hides in refrigerator during standoff, police say

FRESNO, Calif. -- A suspect was taken to the hospital on Saturday after Fresno Police say he hid in his refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Members of a probation compliance team first responded to the area of Olive Avenue and 9th Street around 5 p.m. on Saturday. They went to arrest the suspect for a violation of his probation on domestic violence charges.

But authorities say he spotted them, and tried to ram them with his car. He damaged several other cars in the process. The man then ran into his apartment and refused to come out.

"It was learned that inside the apartment were five children who were relatives of his, and initially we had to negotiate to get the children out. But he was eventually cooperative, and the children left the apartment and were found and unharmed," said Lt. Mindy Casto, Fresno Police Department.

Police say the suspect surrendered peacefully after several hours, and was taken to the hospital to be checked out before going to jail.