Santee Business Owner Arrested On Suspicion Of Firing Gun, Threatening Deputies

SANTEE, CA — A Santee business owner was arrested after he fired a gun and threatened sheriff's deputies, authorities said.

Deputies responded shortly after 12:30 a.m. Saturday to reports of possible gunshots near North Magnolia Avenue, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. They saw a man, later identified as Robert Sanford, 43, apparently armed with a handgun and entering his business suite on Rockville Street, authorities said.

Authorities surrounded the building and tried to contact Sanford by phone, but he refused to come outside, sheriff's officials said. Deputies also saw what appeared to be bullet holes in a parking sign in front of the suite. A church is located about 100 yards behind the sign.

Because Sanford was believed to be alone and no victims were found, deputies disengaged and planned to arrest him later.

During a follow-up investigation at 7:16 a.m., deputies found evidence Sanford had a handgun and had made threats to shoot deputies if they entered the business, officials said.

Investigators obtained a search warrant later that morning, and with assistance from a SWAT team, executed the warrant around 10:06 a.m. Sanford was taken into custody without incident.

Detectives recovered a 9mm handgun and multiple shell casings from the business, officials said.

Sanford was arrested on suspicion of negligent discharge of a firearm and making threats against peace officers. He was booked into San Diego Central Jail.