Armed Man Arrested After Stealing Horse, Prompting Standoff: Sheriff's Office

SPRING VALLEY, CA — An armed robber was arrested early Monday morning after stealing a horse and prompting an hours-long standoff in Spring Valley, authorities said.

Deputies responded to an armed robbery around 7:30 p.m. Sunday in the 2300 block of Bancroft Drive, where the victim reported that the suspect pointed a firearm at him and had stolen his horse, according the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

"Deputies located the suspect a short distance away from the location," Sgt. David Leonhardi said. "Upon contact, the suspect ran away with the stolen horse."

Aerial support assisted deputies by following the suspect as he fled into a nearby residence, Leonhardi said. Due to the high-risk nature of the operation, the sheriff's Special Enforcement Detail and Crisis Negotiations Team also responded.

The suspect exited the home at about 3:30 a.m. Monday and was arrested. He was identified as 29-year-old Gabriel De La Torre Santana and was booked into San Diego Central Jail.

The stolen horse was recovered and returned to the owner, Leonhardi said.