Yesterday, police officers responded to reports of a resident smashing vehicle windows at an apartment complex in West Anaheim, according to the Anaheim Police Department.
The suspect fled into his apartment and barricaded himself inside, prompting a response from detectives and the APD’s Tactical Response Group.
After several hours of refusing to surrender, tear gas was introduced, which was a powerful motivator.
The suspect eventually exited the apartment and was safely taken into custody.
Unfortunately for everyone involved, he exited wearing absolutely nothing. Why he chose to leave his own apartment without clothes remains unclear, but the APD is fairly confident that there were other options available.
The suspect was arrested and now faces multiple criminal charges.
Legal Penalties Faced by the Suspect
Based on the circumstances of the incident in West Anaheim and California criminal law, the suspect faces multiple criminal counts spanning property damage, obstruction, and potential drug offenses. Because he is reportedly a documented gang member with a pre-existing narcotics warrant, several of these penalties carry enhanced sentence terms.
He faces the following legal charges and maximum penalties:
Vandalism (California Penal Code § 594)
Because he smashed windows on multiple vehicles, the total cost of the property damage will determine the severity of the charge:
- Misdemeanor Vandalism: If the total damage is under $400, it is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in a county jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
- Felony Vandalism: If the total damage is $400 or more, prosecutors can charge it as a felony. This carries a penalty of 16 months, two years, or three years in county jail, and a fine of up to $10,000.
Resisting Arrest / Obstruction (California Penal Code § 148(a)(1))
Fleeing from officers, barricading himself inside the apartment, and initiating a hours-long SWAT standoff constitutes resisting or obstructing a peace officer.
- This is a misdemeanor charge carrying a maximum penalty of up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Indecent Exposure (California Penal Code § 314)
While the suspect exited the apartment naked, a conviction for indecent exposure in California requires proof of “lewd intent” (acting to satisfy sexual desires or to offend/affront others).
- If prosecutors prove lewd intent, a first offense is a misdemeanor carrying up to six months in county jail.
- If the court determines his nudity was merely an immediate byproduct of fleeing a tear-gassed room rather than a lewd act, this specific charge may be dropped or replaced with public intoxication/nuisance infractions.
Outstanding Narcotics Warrant & Gang Enhancements
- Narcotics Warrant: He will face the separate legal penalties tied to his pre-existing drug warrant, the severity of which depends on whether it was for possession, sales, or failure to appear.
- Criminal Street Gang Enhancement (Penal Code § 186.22): Because the Anaheim Police Department identified him as a documented gang member, prosecutors can seek a gang enhancement if they prove the vandalism or standoff was committed for the benefit of, or in association with, a criminal street gang. A felony conviction with a gang enhancement can add an mandatory additional 2, 3, or 4 years to his prison sentence.