Barricaded man threatens utility workers with rifle

Los Angeles police are in a four-hour standoff with a man who threatened gas company employees with a rifle when they showed up at his home to shut off the gas, authorities said.  

The man, said to be between 25 and 30 years old, emerged from the house with the rifle aimed at the workers around 8:30 a.m. and refused to leave his residence in the 3200 block of Casitas Avenue, according to LAPD Officer Lyle Knight.

Knight said 17 officers, including one supervisor, have been deployed to the house.  

No injuries were reported.

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-- Matt Stevens