'Suicidal' man taken into custody

Portales police on Monday morning took a “suicidal subject” into custody after a brief standoff with law officers.

A news release from Portales police said officers were called to the Los Pueblos Apartment complex in the 1900 block of South Avenue I about 8:45 a.m. “after a male subject dialed 911 advising he wanted to kill himself.”

“The subject indicated that he did have a gun and was going to ‘take out’ whoever got there first,” the release said.

“The subject hung up, however, Portales Police Dispatch was able to call him back and the caller stated ‘He wants them to shoot to kill.’”

Police set up a perimeter around the area and, about 45 minutes later, the man exited the residence and surrendered without incident, the release said.

Police said they found a small-caliber pistol inside the residence that was not loaded.

The subject was transported to Roosevelt General Hospital for a mental health evaluation, the release said.