San Diego

Suspect Accused of Stealing Firearms Arrested After Standoff in Oak Hill Neighborhood

A residential burglary at an Oak Hill home turned into a standoff after a suspect who stole five firearms refused to leave his apartment when asked by law enforcement officials.

Johnny James Martinez, 19, of Escondido, was arrested and charged for residential burglary and numerous other felony charges Monday.

The burglary happened between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Monday when an Escondido resident reported the incident.

Residents said a suspect stole multiple objects, including five firearms, when he cut through the screen of an unlocked window.

A citizen in the area reported seeing a person carrying a rifle that matched the description of one of the stolen weapons during that same time period, Escondido Police said. The citizen reported seeing the man head inside an apartment.

Later that afternoon, police obtained a search warrant for that apartment and an Escondido SWAT team was deployed to the area to assist, because of the reported stolen weapons.

All residents were asked to exit the apartment building, but one man refused to exit.

Police used chemical agents and Martinez, who police later identified, exited the building. Martinez was later booked into the Vista Detention Facility.

When officers searched the area, they found three of the five reported stolen weapons and one other missing item. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the Escondido Police Department Investigations Division, at 760-839-4717.
 

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