Cop tackles suspect striking police department windows with aluminum bat

A quick-thinking cop is being hailed a hero for tackling a suspect who, according to California’s West Covina Police Department, was threatening bystanders and officers with an aluminum baseball bat at the police station.

On Monday morning, the man, identified as 28-year-old Christopher Rivas, repeatedly hit the glass windows of the West Covina Police Department with the bat, sending three women who were seated inside the lobby fleeing to a secure location, police said in a statement. The reinforced glass didn’t break.

For about a minute, the man stood at the entrance with the bat in hand, holding open the automatic glass doors.

“As officers responded from within the police station, the suspect walked up to the entry way repeatedly swinging and striking the glass entry doors threatening to enter,” police said.

A West Convina officer who had been outside saw what was happening and immediately ran up behind the suspect and tackled him to the ground, pushing him into the lobby. Half a dozen officers then raced to help detain and handcuff the man.

None of the bystanders were injured, police said. The suspect was cited and released to the custody of the LA County Medical Center for treatment and evaluation.

Hours later, the department released a video of the incident on Facebook to “show the suspect’s threatening actions prior to being taken into custody.”

The video went viral with more than 1 million views and 10,000 shares, along with thousands of comments praising the officer for his fearless actions.

“Nice tackle, sir!” one user Facebook commented.

“Glad to see everyone is safe,” another added.