Update: A man was taken into custody Tuesday following a three-hour standoff on an overpass that forced the closure of Highway 198, authorities said.

The incident began when the individual positioned himself on the overpass at Linwood Street and Noble Avenue in Visalia. Officers with the Visalia Police Department, including hostage negotiators, and the Tulare County Crisis Team responded to the scene.

As a precaution, Highway 198 was shut down between Demaree and Akers streets during the incident.

The man became hostile at one point during negotiations and was holding a knife, police said. He jumped down toward officers and attempted to flee.

Officers deployed a non-lethal device and safely took the man into custody. Highway 198 has since reopened and no injuries were reported.

Original Story

Visalia police closed a highway on-ramp Tuesday morning as officers worked to assist a man experiencing a mental health crisis on an overpass.

The Visalia Police Department said officers were flagged down at approximately 10:29 a.m. regarding a male individual on the overpass at Linwood Street and Noble Avenue.

Officers remained at the scene working to resolve the situation safely, according to a police statement.

The Demaree Street on-ramp to westbound Highway 198 was closed as a result of the police presence. Authorities asked drivers to avoid the area and use alternate routes until the scene is cleared.

No additional information was immediately available.

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