UPDATE: A dramatic three-hour standoff in El Cajon has just ended with the arrest of 44-year-old Ruben Castro on serious charges, including domestic violence and multiple felony warrants. The intense situation unfolded on October 22, 2023, at a motel located at 1368 E. Main Street, leading to a major police response.
Authorities were alerted after a woman called 9-1-1, reporting that her husband had assaulted and strangled her, preventing her from leaving their motel room. The El Cajon Police Department quickly evacuated the victim, but Castro barricaded himself inside the room, prompting SWAT officers to be deployed.
Initial efforts by crisis negotiators to persuade Castro to surrender were unsuccessful. The suspect refused to communicate, necessitating a tactical response. Police attempted to resolve the standoff using less-lethal methods, including Pepper Ball rounds, but these did not yield results.
In a decisive move, law enforcement utilized a flashbang device along with additional Pepper Ball rounds, which finally coaxed Castro out of the bathroom where he had been hiding. He was taken into custody without further incident.
Following his arrest, Castro was booked into the San Diego County Jail on multiple charges stemming from the standoff and his existing warrants for violent felonies and sex registration violations.
This situation highlights the serious issue of domestic violence and the challenges faced by law enforcement during such volatile incidents. The swift response from the El Cajon Police Department likely prevented further harm to the victim.
As this story develops, updates will follow regarding Castro’s arraignment and any ongoing investigations into his past actions. Stay tuned for more details.
