Free Republic

An El Sobrante man armed with a crossbow and a blazing propane tank who barricaded himself inside his house and held police at bay for more than seven hours was being held in Contra Costa County Jail on Monday, authorities said. Rufus Thomas, 47, was arrested Sunday on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, assault on a peace officer, making threats and false imprisonment. When deputies raided the house about 8:15 a.m., they found Thomas wearing a gas mask and a motorcycle helmet and waving a blazing propane tank, Wright said. The police backed off until firefighters could spray...