A man wielding a knife and what appeared to be a firearm sparked a tense standoff with Turlock Police on Monday afternoon in a busy shopping center. 

Officers managed to de-escalate the situation and arrest the man without injuries after careful negotiation.

The incident began just after 4 p.m. in the 700 block of North Golden State Boulevard when police responded to reports of a man acting erratically, shouting at people, and waving a black object. 

Upon arriving, officers quickly identified Anthony Ramirez, 34, of Ceres, attempting to conceal himself behind two cinder block pillars near a shopping center. When ordered to come out, Ramirez hesitantly complied but concealed one hand behind his back, heightening the tension.

Officers discovered Ramirez was holding a knife and further noticed what appeared to be a firearm in his waistband, said Turlock Police spokesperson Dominique Sanchez. A closer inspection revealed the firearm was a replica, but the volatile situation prompted officers to hold Ramirez at gunpoint while awaiting additional units. 

A detective from the department’s Hostage Negotiation Team arrived at the scene and engaged Ramirez in dialogue, while officers maintained safety protocols. After a period of negotiation, Ramirez was taken into custody without further resistance. He was booked on charges of being under the influence of a controlled substance and resisting arrest.

No injuries were reported, and police credited their teamwork and training in resolving the incident peacefully.