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A woman who spent the night at the Hollywood Hills home of actor Eddie Kaye Thomas refused to leave Wednesday morning, and armed with a knife remained barricaded inside during a police standoff that lasted nearly six-and-a-half hours.
Thomas, best known for playing Paul Finch in the "American Pie" film series, was initially in his home and was held at knifepoint by the unidentified suspect, according to unconfirmed reports, says CBS2. Thomas allegedly escaped and contacted authorities, who surrounded the residence.
The Los Angeles Police Department sharpshooters were brought to the scene, and negotiations were attempted before ultimately SWAT officers set off diversionary flash- bang grenades and fired teargas into the home in order to retrieve the woman, according to City News Service.
The suspect, described only as a woman in her late teens or early 20s, was taken into custody at around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. In addition to the standoff, the suspect is facing felony vandalism charges for allegedly trashing property inside Thomas' home.
The incident had another star on edge: Thomas' neighbor Minnie Driver. The actress chronicled her experience on Twitter:
Armed man has barricaded himself into the house just below mine. Swarming police. My dog is on high alert. #noescape
— Minnie Driver (@driverminnie) April 18, 2013
It's not an armed man, it's a disgruntled woman. Disgruntled is probably the wrong word..just had five rounds of year has explosions
— Minnie Driver (@driverminnie) April 18, 2013
Tear gas I mean sodding iPhone !!!!
— Minnie Driver (@driverminnie) April 18, 2013
We are all sitting on the floor in the living room. Henry has a baseball glove and I'm eyeing the wine. Feel sad for this barricaded woman..
— Minnie Driver (@driverminnie) April 18, 2013
And yes I meant glove not bat.
— Minnie Driver (@driverminnie) April 18, 2013
Fortunately Driver and her son pulled through.
