Local News in Brief : Youth Held in Burglary of Simi Condominium

A 17-year-old youth was arrested on suspicion of burglary during a standoff with Simi Valley police that involved a special weapons and hostage negotiation team, police said.

The incident began about 7 p.m. Saturday when the daughter and son-in-law of a vacationing condominium owner arrived to check on the home in the 2000 block of Calle la Sombra, Simi Valley Police Sgt. Neal Rein said. The couple noticed that a .22-caliber rifle was missing and called police, he said.

Shortly after police arrived, the 17-year-old was arrested a block from the scene, Rein said. A search of the condominium by police dogs led officers to believe that a second burglary suspect was hiding in the attic, he said, and a SWAT team was called in.

After more than an hour of fruitless attempts to contact the second suspect, officers entered the house, Rein said. But the suspect had escaped with the rifle, he said.

The 17-year-old was taken to Ventura County Juvenile Hall.