Armed man prompts hours long standoff on Hobby Lobby’s parking lot
After an 11-hour standoff with Santa Ana Police Department and OC Sheriff and SWAT, 41-year old Richard Rene Martinez was detained at 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday Aug.30.
On Aug. 29, Martinez was walking outside with a gun of Hobby Lobby’s parking lot located on E 17th Street and Tustin Ave. Eyewitnesses say the suspect got out of his car with a gun, prompting them to go inside nearby businesses and stay in lockdown at 4:00 p.m.
“Our dispatch received a call of an armed suspect in the parking lot of Hobby Lobby on 17th street and Tustin Ave. It was to assist the Orange County Sheriff’s Department with a traffic accident involving the suspect,” said Public Information Officer Natalie Garcia.
Authorities instructed nearby businesses to remain in place until the scene was cleared.
At 5:30 p.m. Martinez refused to cooperate, making authorities clear out the parking lot and completely closing E 17th Street and Tustin Ave.
Dozens of locals gathered across the street at the Albertsons parking lot to watch the scene unfold.
At 7:30 p.m., after three hours of lockdown in the nearby business, authorities told them it was safe to evacuate.
At 9:14 p.m. the Santa Ana Police Department, OC Sheriff’s Department and SWAT were present at the scene trying to negotiate with Martinez.
Martinez finally surrendered after 11 hours at 3:00 a.m. Wed. Aug. 30 resulting in no injuries.
He was arrested on August 30th on various firearm violations and booked at the Santa Ana Jail.
Watch additional reporting @eldonnews on Instagram.
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