A man was taken into custody after an hours-long standoff recently in unincorporated El Cajon, authorities said.
Around noon on July 24, the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force located Joseph Gonsalves, 48, in the 900 block of Silverbrook Drive. Gonsalves had an outstanding warrant for felony domestic violence and was also wanted in connection with an ongoing investigation by Alpine Sheriff’s Station detectives, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for the home, and due to the high-risk nature of the situation, the Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail, or SWAT, was called in to assist.
Deputies attempted to contact Gonsalves just before 6 p.m. He ignored all commands to surrender and barricaded himself inside the home with a woman, according to the release. Both refused to speak with deputies.
Gonsalves made several threats, including threats to kill deputies if they entered the home, officials said.
Deputies attempted to use a drone to enter the home, but Gonsalves attacked the drone and rendered it inoperable, according to the department.
Chemical agents were deployed into the home to force both individuals to exit. The woman later left the home and was determined not to be a victim or held against her will. She was treated at the scene for chemical exposure and released.
Gonsalves continued to refuse to exit the residence. Around midnight, SWAT deputies and a sheriff’s K-9 entered the home and took him into custody. No deputies were injured.
Gonsalves was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the standoff. He was booked on charges of felony domestic violence, criminal threats toward a public officer, and felony vandalism.
Additional charges may be filed pending the outcome of the investigation.
