SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – A man is dangling from a building Wednesday afternoon in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood in an apparent standoff.
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According to authorities, the man ran into the building at 10th and Harrison Street and was threatening to jump – but was calmed at the sight of his pet.
He had sat on a sidewalk as CHP officers questioned him – but when a computer check found the vehicle was stolen, he bolted and ran up the fire escape. He emerged from a second-story window, where he remains perched shirtless, barefoot and threatening to jump.
“Using the cat was ingenious”, said Officer Albie Esparza, a police spokesman.
A large crowd has gathered in the area as the standoff continues this evening.
Earlier, 10th Street between Harrison and Folsom streets were blocked off. No word yet if the road will soon be cleared. He was only wearing shorts and he was threatening to jump, according to CBS San Francisco.
The intersection of 10th Street and Harrison was shut down for about three hours due to the incident.
Investigators are trying to negotiate with him.
Shortly after the incident was resolved, Officer Gatpandan tweeted out a photo of fellow Officer Shawn Fulgado holding a cat, saying “Never underestimate the power of a owner’s love for their pet #kitten!”
The man had run into the building about 2:30 p.m., after he had been stopped while driving a white Toyota Highlander that had no license plates. It was later revealed that the Highlander was reported stolen.
San Francisco police responded to the scene once the situation devolved from a traffic stop to a possible suicide attempt.
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‘A person’s love for their animal is unlike any other. He was taken into custody around 6 p.m., police told the San Francisco Chronicle. Even as the man was handcuffed and taken to a police auto, officers brought the cat to him so he could see his beloved feline before going to jail.
