A Bakersfield man has been arrested after an hours-long standoff in Downtown Bakersfield Wednesday morning.

The full release can be seen below:

On May 4th, 2022, at approximately 8:26 AM, officers of the Bakersfield Police Department responded to a business in the 2300 block of Eye Street regarding reports of an adult male on the roof of the business throwing rocks and debris at motorists traveling westbound on 24th Street.

Upon arrival officers encountered a subject, later identified as Raymond Valenzuela (44) of Bakersfield. Valenzuela was on the roof of a single-story building, armed with a machete-type knife and actively destroying property on the roof of the business. During officer’s interaction with Valenzuela he repeatedly threatened to kill them and also made self-harm related statements. Bakersfield City Fire, Mobile Mental Health Evaluation Team (MET) through Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, Police negotiators and other assets were on scene. During an approximate four-hour stand-off, officers and MET personnel attempted to negotiate the safe surrender of the armed subject. Due to Valenzuela repeatedly throwing large items onto 24th Street, officers closed the roadway to protect the public.

At approximately 12:20 PM, Valenzuela agreed to surrender and was taken into custody with no force. He was transported to an area hospital for complaint of pain. After receiving treatment he will be booked into the Kern County Jail for a pre-existing parole violation warrant, being under the influence of a controlled substance, resisting officers with violence and felony vandalism.