SAN FRANCISCO -- A man who'd been threatening to jump from the third floor of a San Francisco apartment building peacefully surrendered after quick-thinking police arranged for him to see his beloved pet cat.
The California Highway Patrol had stopped the man on Wednesday for allegedly driving a vehicle with no license plates in the city's South of Market neighborhood, according to San Francisco police. The man fled into an apartment building around 2:30 p.m., after the highway patrol determined that plate-less car was stolen, San Francisco police said.
San Francisco police negotiators rushed to the building after the man perched with his legs dangling from a third-story window. He stayed there for approximately three and a half hours and threatened to jump, said Officer Grace Gatpandan, a department spokeswoman.
Police contacted family members in the area and encouraged them to bring the fluffy, orange and white cat named Trip. While talking with negotiators, the man said he'd like to see the kitty.
"The suspect talked to police about a lot of things. That's how the cat came into play,"
Gatpandan said."The second that cat arrived, we were able to talk him out."
Police showed him the feline after he came inside and was handcuffed, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Gatpandan shared a photo of an officer holding Trip.
The man was taken into custody by the Highway Patrol. It's unclear what charges he faces. The Highway Patrol couldn't immediately be reached.
The man must undergo a psychiatric evaluation before he can be cleared for detention in the county jail, Gatpandan said.
Trip will be looked after by the man's family.