Watsonville standoff nets no weapons after search

 Posted on March 01, 2012 in Firearm Possession

Law enforcement cordoned off an area near a multi-use building on Prospect Street in Watsonville Tuesday afternoon. Authorities were apparently suspicious that a gun allegedly taken during a recent burglary may have been in the building. Law enforcement says that they also thought a 30-year-old parolee may have been in the building. The man is on parole for domestic violence.

Two men apparently were inside the building and denied entry to the police. Law enforcement says that they had information that one of the men would be heavily armed. It appears in that the parolee police believed was inside, in fact was not. After a four hour standoff, police entered the building and a search revealed that no guns were inside the building.

It is unclear what information led police to believe the parolee or any weapons--including the gun allegedly taken in a California burglary that officials were looking for-were inside the Watsonville building.

After the four hour standoff, police arrested the two men. One of the men reportedly had an outstanding warrant for petty theft and resisting arrest. He apparently also has a pending charge from San Mateo County alleging that he was found driving with a suspended license. He was booked into the County Jail with bail set at $10,000.

The second man, the younger brother of the absent parolee, was arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property and for resisting arrest. Reports indicate that he is no longer in custody. Details about what the basis for the stolen property allegations may involve remain sketchy in the public media.

The standoff in Watsonville caused street closures and evacuations of neighbors from their homes through the better part of Tuesday afternoon.

Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel, "No weapons found after nearly four-hour Watsonville standoff," Jessica M. Pasko, Feb. 29, 2012