Santa Maria police arrested one man on the afternoon of April 27 following an hours-long standoff in the northeastern part of town, according to the SMPD.
Lt. Dan Cohen said his department received a call to respond to the 1700 block of North Lynne Drive, where they found Juan Angel Salinas Peña allegedly trying to break into a family member’s home.
Peña allegedly threatened officers when they arrived on scene and armed himself with a large rock and a produce knife. Cohen said it appeared Peña wanted to commit “suicide by cop,” so the department brought in a negotiator to talk to him.
After 2 1/2 hours, Cohen said Peña tried to escape by jumping over a backyard fence.
Police stopped Peña by deploying a “sponge round,” Cohen said.
According to Sgt. Mark Streker, the round, or sponge grenade, is a weapon considered to be non-lethal and commonly used for riot control. The projectile is made of rubber foam and plastic.
Peña, 18, was arrested on suspicion of brandishing a weapon at police officers, trespassing, and delaying or obstructing an officer.
This article appears in Apr 30 – May 7, 2015.
