Man arrested for allegedly threatening deputies in Santee

A business owner was arrested early Saturday after allegedly threatening to shoot sheriff’s deputies who had responded to reports of gunshots in Santee, officials said.

Deputies were called around 12:30 a.m. after someone heard possible gunfire along Magnolia Avenue near state Route 67. A short distance away, deputies spotted a 43-year-old man, apparently armed with a handgun, entering a heating and air conditioning business on Rockville Street, authorities said.

Deputies surrounded the property and attempted to contact the man, but he was uncooperative and refused to exit the building, Capt. Chris Katra said in a statement.

Deputies noticed possible bullet holes in a parking sign in front of the business suite, which is near a church. Since there were no victims, deputies made a tactical decision to leave the area, with plans to return later, Katra said.

Shortly after 7:15 a.m., deputies returned and “discovered evidence indicating Sanford was in possession of a handgun and had made threats to shoot deputies if they entered his business,” Katra said. Around 10 a.m., deputies returned with a search warrant.

With the assistance of SWAT officers, they arrested the man on suspicion of negligent discharge of a firearm and threatening peace officers. A 9mm handgun and multiple shell casings were recovered from the business, Katra said.