Suspect in Antioch police standoff makes first court appearance

MARTINEZ, Calif. (KTVU) -- The man accused of holding hostages in Antioch during an hours-long standoff with police last week is facing 16 charges for the crime spree.

Horacio Gutierrez of Newark appeared in court on Monday for the first time since he was arrested on May 24. The 35-year-old appeared in a yellow jumpsuit inside the Contra Costa County courthouse in Martinez for an arraignment.

A judge granted his attorney's request to push back the arraignment so he could review the charging documents.

The Contra Costa District Attorney's Office filed 16 charges against Gutierrez, including four counts of kidnapping for extortion, false imprisonment, carjacking, four counts of attempted kidnapping, brandishing a gun at police, auto theft, possession of stolen property, being a felon in possession of a firearm and an enhancement for a prior prison sentence.

On May 24, Gutierrez is accused of holding two people hostage at an Antioch gas station during an hours-long standoff with police following a carjacking and a police chase that led authorities from Antioch to Pittsburg, Concord, Brentwood, and back to Antioch. 

After returning to Antioch and crashing the car he was in, Gutierrez allegedly attempted to carjack several other victims before taking two hostages at a gas station.

Gutierrez's parents were in court to support their son, but declined to comment. His attorney, John Bell, said he spoke with Gutierrez briefly before the court appearance.

"He seemed very remorseful," Bell said. "He realizes that this is a very serious situation that he is facing."

Bell declined to comment further, saying the charges are very serious and will be addressed in court.

Gutierrez's arraignment has been set for June 25. His bail was reset from $4.8 million to $2.8 million since several charges are essentially for the same crime.

If convicted, Gutierrez could face up to two life in prison sentences.