A predawn domestic dispute in a Santee apartment on Friday led to a nearly eight-hour law enforcement standoff that ended in the arrest of a man wanted on unrelated drug charges.
The 31-year-old suspect refused to exit a home in the 8600 block of Fanita Drive when deputies arrived in response to a reported disturbance there at about 2:30 a.m., according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
Lt. Chris Galve told reporters the suspect had a felony warrant for narcotics, was believed to be armed and was not allowing a woman to leave the residence.
After the suspect, whose name was not immediately available, refused repeated orders to free the woman and exit the home, a SWAT team was called in, Galve said.
Crisis negotiators eventually persuaded the man to allow the woman to leave the home.
“The (woman) exited the residence unharmed,” the lieutenant said. “She was escorted to safety by our deputies out here in the field.”
The suspect continued refusing to surrender until late morning, when he finally complied after deputies set off a concussion grenade and tear-gas dispensers in the apartment.
The incident resulted in no injuries, the lieutenant said.
City News Service contributed to this article.