Visalia robbery suspect caught after eight hour search, standoff inside strip mall

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- A tense, hours-long standoff and search in the South Valley is over, with the suspect in custody.

The search started at around 4:30 Tuesday morning after Visalia police responded to a business alarm near the intersection of Ben Maddox Way and Houston Avenue-- it ended just before 1 p.m.

When the suspect was finally brought outside, the burglary suspect didn't say anything or look at anyone. After an 8-hour long search, police said they found him in the attic of Domino's.

"The attic itself is very tight, confined spaces, a lot of sharp edges, so we had to take a very slow and methodical search and were able to find the suspect at the very end," said Visalia Police Sgt. Damon Maurice.

Police said the suspect first entered the building, which is home to a handful of tenants, by forcing his way through the back door of Don Taco-- that was at about 4:30 a.m.

The restaurant's alarm went off, Visalia police officers responded, and when they arrived, they saw the suspect trying to get out the way he came in. Police said the suspect saw them, and then tried to get out the front door.

When the suspect was unsuccessful, police said he threw a fire extinguisher through the window, and then climbed into the restaurant's attic.

Police, assisted by fire crews and a K-9, conducted a thorough search of the strip mall-- they were confident he was still inside.

Alfredo Rocha, who owns Don Taco, told us he was upset, especially because his employees didn't get to work Tuesday.

Police said the suspect, who is possibly on parole, faces multiple burglary counts, because he hid in the attic space of several businesses in the building. He could also be charged with resisting arrest.

Police did not find any weapons on him.