Brothers Arrested After Attempted Burglary, Armed Standoff At Imperial Beach Home

IMPERIAL BEACH, CA — Two brothers were arrested after an armed standoff at a home in Imperial Beach that began with a reported residential burglary, authorities said Thursday.

Deputies responded Wednesday to a home in the 1200 block of Granger Avenue after residents returning home found the locks on their door had been changed, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

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One resident reported seeing the barrel of a black handgun pointed at them through a window. The residents retreated to safety and called 911.

Deputies secured the area and established a perimeter around the home. After repeated announcements for the suspects to leave the residence, a man later identified as Matthew Sanchez, 76, exited the home and told deputies he was the landlord attempting to evict the residents. He said his brother, Andrew Sanchez, 76, remained inside and refused to come out.

Deputies requested additional resources, including the sheriff's helicopter, the Crisis Negotiations Team, and the Special Enforcement Detail, as they believed Andrew Sanchez was still armed.

After several hours of negotiations, Andrew Sanchez surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody. Authorities said he was found with ammunition, and a search warrant later led investigators to a black handgun hidden inside the residence.

Andrew Sanchez was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. Matthew Sanchez was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a crime. Both were booked into jail.