Man With Gun Arrested At Martinez Home Depot: Police

MARTINEZ, CA — A Martinez man on probation was arrested on suspicion of multiple charges after allegedly taking a loaded shotgun into a local home improvement store, according to the Martinez Police Department. Officers were initially dispatched to Home Depot on Arnold Drive Depot, 1000 Arnold Drive, at about 12:37 p.m. Thursday when a passerby reported seeing a man pointing a sawed-off shotgun at a woman outside the store, police said.

Officers talked to the woman, while the man with the gun, later identified as James Lee Dryden, 33, of Martinez, rode his bicycle through the front doors of the busy store, carrying a dark-colored duffel bag, according to police.

Officers surrounded the store and were beginning to evacuate customers when Dryden reportedly tried to escape on his bicycle through the front door but was tackled by officers, a Home Depot employee and another "concerned citizen," police said.

Dryden allegedly threw his bike at the employee and ran off, according to police.

Officers chased Dryden through the store and took him into custody.

The shotgun was found inside Dryden's duffel bag, police said.

No shots were fired and the employee was not injured, according to police.

Dryden was ultimately taken to Martinez Detention Facility on suspicion of possession of a short-barrel shotgun, suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, suspicion of carrying a loaded firearm in public and a probation violation.

— Bay City News Service contributed to this report.