An employee of Popcornopolis in El Segundo has taken her manager hostage and is holed up in the business, surrounded by police, authorities said Tuesday.

The employee, described as a woman in her 20s, walked into the gourmet popcorn business about 8:20 a.m. armed with a handgun and told all the other workers to get out, said El Segundo police Capt. Bob Turnbull.


The woman kept the male manager inside, Turnbull said.

“At this point in time, we have her locked in an office…and we’re negotiating,” Turnbull said. “We have it surrounded and we’re trying to end it peacefully.”


Police have closed off the area for about 250 yards in each direction. El Segundo’s SWAT team and hostage negotiators are handling the investigation. Police are negotiating with the woman over the telephone.

No one has been reported injured so far, Turnbull said. Four or five employees were in the business at the time.


ALSO:

Michael Jackson-AEG trial: Potential jurors know witnesses, tossed


Compton voters head to polls to elect new mayor

Boston bombings: Muslims fear another ‘hysteria’


Joseph.serna@latimes.com

@josephserna