Suspicious device deemed safe, person arrested after incident in La Mesa

LA MESA, Calif. (KGTV) – La Mesa police were able to quickly bring a tense situation on Kelton Avenue under control Tuesday after responding to reports of an armed man.

The incident began at approximately 6:48 a.m. when callers reported a male offender, later identified as Bryce Segaux, 36, brandishing a knife and running in the street. When officers arrived, they found Segaux standing next to a white Toyota Yaris parked at the curb. He then pulled a handgun from a bag and placed it on the curb next to him.

Officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, but Segaux continued to sit next to the gun and pace back and forth. After about 20 minutes, Segaux reached for the gun, and an officer fired several beanbag rounds. Officers then advanced and arrested Segaux.

While searching Segaux’s vehicle, officers discovered a suspicious explosive device consisting of several red 5-gallon tanks. The San Diego Sheriff’s bomb disposal unit was called to the scene and residents were temporarily evacuated.

The bomb disposal service determined that the bomb was not an explosive device and residents were allowed to return to their homes around 10:00 a.m.

Segaux, who had an arrest warrant out of Los Angeles, was booked into the San Diego County Jail. The gun recovered from the crime scene was a replica.

Kelton Avenue was closed between El Paso Street and Zeta Street for several hours.