Police negotiators talked a suicidal m an from a third story ledge using his ginger car and then arrested him.
After a standoff that lasted over three hours, the man (who was a suspected car thief) was taken into custody shortly after 6pm on Wednesday.
They arrived at the scene in San Francisco’s South of Market area after the man ran away when California Highway Patrol officers pulled him over in a stolen white Toyota Highlander at around 2.30pm.
According to authorities, the man ran into the building at 10th and Harrison Street and was threatening to jump – but was calmed at the sight of his pet.
Police had shut down traffic along the busy street but a large crowd gathered as negotiators tried to talk the suspect down as he dangled precariously on the ledge.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the man had been stopped because the vehicle he was driving had no license plates.
Officer Albie Esparza added: ‘Thanks to #SFPD, #CHP and #SFFD and the cat for bringing the standoff to an end.’
‘A person’s love for their animal is unlike any other. He surrendered shortly after seeing his cat,’ he said.
The suspect’s family had brought the cat to the scene to help coax him down, according to authorities.
