SWAT Standoff With Rifle-Toting Suspect Inside Auto Parts Store

SANTA ANA, CA — A Santa Ana auto-parts store became the scene of an hours-long standoff with police, Tuesday, officials said.

Before noon, a rifle-toting suspect barricaded himself in the automotive store after entering a 7-Eleven carrying a long rifle, said Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.

When officers arrived he fled the 7-Eleven and ran north into the back-section of an auto-parts store in the 3700 block of West First Street, Bertagna said.

Police got employees of the store out before he barricaded himself inside, according to Bertagna.

"He came out a few times, in the yard area, hiding under cars and then he goes back in," Bertagna said.

SWAT officers were en route to negotiate his surrender, Bertagna said. First Street was closed between North Harbor Boulevard and N. Jackson Street as of 4 p.m. The suspect was taken into custody by 4:30 p.m. according to authorities.