Deputies Arrest Felon in Possession of Sawed-Off Shotgun on Thanksgiving

San Diego County Sheriffโ€™s (SDSO) deputies arrested a man in possession of a loaded sawed-off shotgun on Thanksgiving in Spring Valley.

Rancho San Diego Station deputies received calls of an armed suspicious person near 3600 Bancroft Drive at approximately 8:48 p.m. Thursday after reports came in of an African-American man brandishing a shotgun in the area.

A deputy was traveling northbound on Bancroft Drive at around 9:20 p.m. when he spotted the suspect near a taco shop. As the deputy made a U-turn and continued in the suspectโ€™s direction, the man started in the opposite direction and attempted to hide behind a dumpster.

According to the SDSO, two deputies were approaching the dumpster when they heard the distinct sound of a shotgun slide being pulled and a round being loaded into the weapon.

The deputies took cover and began giving the suspect orders to drop the shotgun when they heard what they believed was the sound of the gun being thrown inside of the dumpster. The suspect then stepped out from his hiding spot and began walking in the opposite direction of the deputies with his hands up.

Despite commands to stop, the suspect continued walking away, prompting the deputies to chase after the man and tackle him to the ground. After the suspect was taken into custody, deputies recovered a loaded shotgun, with a round chambered, from the dumpster.

The suspect was later identified as 26-year-old Dontel Wallace, a convicted felon.

Wallace was booked into the San Diego Central Jail and charged with Felon in possession of a weapon, possession of a short-barreled shotgun, resisting an officer and other related charges.

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