Man arrested after holding 2 hostage in Yuba City store | Crime

YUBA CITY, CA - A man suspected of taking two people hostages inside a Big 5 sporting goods store in Yuba City for four hours was arrested by police Sunday afternoon.

The man has since been identified by police as Juan Carlos Alvarez.

Yuba City police believe that Alvarez, armed with a semi-automatic handgun, entered the store at 1252 Colusa Way around 11:30 a.m. to rob it, but then took two employees hostage instead.

Police said it is unclear why he held the 18-year-old woman and 20-year-old man hostage.

Witnesses at the scene said the man fired a single shot into the ceiling; customers were able to run out of the store and to safety.

Negotiators were able to convince 29-year-old Alvarez to release the hostages and surrender.

Yuba City police said they had some trouble with controlling the crowd outside of the store.