A 38-year-old Pacoima man was arrested Wednesday afternoon following an hours-long standoff with police in a Burbank neighborhood, after allegedly threatening utility workers and officers with what was later determined to be a pellet rifle.
The incident unfolded on March 18, 2026, at approximately 2:25 p.m., when officers with the Burbank Police Department responded to reports of an armed man at a residence in the 1000 block of La Rambla Drive.
According to police, employees from Burbank Water and Power (BWP) were conducting routine work in the area when they encountered the suspect, later identified as Jose Beltran-Garcia. Authorities said the man pointed what appeared to be a rifle at the workers before retreating into a nearby home under construction.
When officers arrived, they located Beltran-Garcia inside a garage on the property. Police said he refused repeated commands to exit and surrender, leading to a prolonged standoff.
Due to the suspect’s behavior and reported threats, additional resources were called in, including the department’s SWAT Team and Crisis Negotiation Team. Authorities said officers made extensive efforts to resolve the situation peacefully.
“Officers utilized crisis negotiation techniques and less-lethal options in an effort to gain voluntary compliance,” said Lt. Brent Fekety of the Burbank Police Department in a press release. “Despite those efforts, the suspect continued to make threats, including statements that he would shoot officers.”
After several hours, SWAT personnel entered the residence and safely took Beltran-Garcia into custody without further incident. No injuries were reported.
A pellet rifle was recovered at the scene, police said.
Beltran-Garcia was arrested on multiple felony charges, including assault with a deadly weapon. The case has been submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Burbank Police Department Investigations Division at (818) 238-3210.
