Bat-wielding man breaks into ex-wife’s home, prompting police standoff

CHULA VISTA (CNS) – A man who allegedly broke into his ex-wife's South Bay home, threatened a former in-law with a bat and knives and refused to surrender for about eight hours finally gave up early Monday when police inundated the residence with tear gas.

The couple's son made an emergency call shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday, reporting that his father, 48-year-old Omar Ernesto Acosta, had broken a window to get into the house in the 2400 block of Eastridge Loop in Chula Vista and was looking for his former spouse, who was not there, according to police.

Acosta allegedly tried to strike his former brother-in-law with a baseball bat he'd brought into the residence and advanced on him with two large knives he armed himself with once inside, Capt. Gary Wedge said. The victim was able to escape unharmed, along with the intruder's two grown sons.

As police tried to contact the suspect, an officer saw him inside the house, carrying what appeared to be a pistol, Wedge said.

“During the incident, it was learned that Acosta had also battered and injured his ex-wife one day prior, but the police were not notified,” the captain said.

A SWAT team was then called in, and crisis negotiators tried in vain to establish communication with Acosta. The suspect refused to cooperate, and the stalemate continued through the night.

Finally, shortly after 5 a.m., officers shot tear-gas canisters into the house, forcing Acosta out. He was then arrested without further incident.

Investigators found a replica handgun inside the home, the captain said.

Acosta was booked into county jail on suspicion of burglary, domestic battery and assault with a deadly weapon. He was being held without bail pending arraignment, scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.