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East County News Service
July 22, 2023 (El Cajon) – A stolen vehicle suspect barricaded himself in an El Cajon motel Thursday evening and threatened to set the building on fire, prompting evacuation of nearby rooms, says Lieutenant Darrin Forster with El Cajon Police Department.
The incident began at 6:38 p.m., when El Cajon Police received information that the GPS system on a vehicle reported stolen showed it was parked at the Best Inn & Suites at 1274 Oakdale Avenue. Officers found the vehicle in the parking lot unoccupied. The driver of the stolen car was observed on surveillance video entering a motel room, which paid for by the San Diego County Homeless Voucher Program administered through EQUUS.
Officers identified the man in the video as Randy Hanks, 43. A record check showed Hanks was an early-release felon on probation and had an active felony warrant for theft related charges. Officers learned Hanks was alone in the room and was a guest of the registered occupant. Officers then tried to contact Hanks while he was standing on the second floor balcony, and he refused to come outside the room.
After going back into the motel room and barricading the door,”Hanks held up a lighter, a can of lighter fluid, and stated he was going to light the room on fire if officers entered,” says Lt. Forster.
he ECPD Crisis Negotiations Team began negotiating with Hanks to surrender while other officers began evacuating surrounding motel rooms. Hanks eventually exited the motel room and was arrested for his felony warrant, possession of a stolen vehicle, and possession of stolen property. He was booked into San Diego County Jail.
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