Officers Track Down Suspect Named Coward Hiding in a Redondo Business

A man suspected of domestic violence fled from Redondo Beach police officers today and hid inside a local business – but not for long.

The incident began at 12:35 p.m. today, when officers were attempting to detain James Coward, 46, of Los Angeles for allegedly battering a former girlfriend and violating a restraining order, according to a Redondo Beach Police Department press release.

Coward, yes, that’s his name, fled and hid inside an office building at 2502 Artesia Blvd.

Several businesses at the location were evacuated and the area was contained with assistance from Manhattan Beach Police Department personnel, according to the news release. During the incident, portions of Artesia Boulevard were closed to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

At 4:05 p.m., officers entered the business with a police dog and located Coward.

“While taking the suspect into custody both the suspect and an officer sustained dog bite injuries,” wrote Sgt. Jeff Mendence. Both were transported to hospitals to treat what were believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.