Details In Murrieta SWAT Standoff Released

MURRIETA, CA — A Murrieta alcohol robbery investigation escalated into a SWAT scene in town Thursday, prompting an hours-long street closure, officials revealed. Two people ultimately exited a house on Fairview Court after apparently refusing to come outside to talk to police for nearly three hours. One of them is currently behind bars.

It all started around 1:22 a.m., when one of those at the Fairview Court home robbed a convenience store on Murrieta Hot Springs Road, according to police.

"The employee informed the dispatcher that an unknown male had just left the location with alcohol that he did not purchase," police said in a news release. "When the employee confronted the male about the theft, the male suspect brandished a handgun at her."

That employee was able to note down the license plate number of the vehicle the man drove off in, and provided it to police. Officers eventually found that car parked on Fairview near Daphne Drive later that morning, according to reports.

It's not clear at what time the police department first tried to make contact with the suspect, but officials began asking people to stay clear of the area at 10:23 a.m. For approximately the next three hours, law enforcement officials were parked outside the area in an apparent standoff situation with those inside the residence.

"Based upon information obtained throughout the investigation, the Murrieta Police Department SWAT team was requested to assist," police said. "Approximately two hours after the SWAT team was requested, two males exited the residence and were taken into custody without incident."

The man accused of stealing the alcohol at gunpoint was arrested and identified as 22-year-old Marco Calderon of Fallbrook. He was booked into the French Valley jail on suspicion of second degree robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, records showed. His bail was set at $30,000.

The other person who was in the house was a 17-year-old boy who was released to a guardian, police said.

— Image via Murrieta Police Department