On Sunday, September 23rd, at about 6:20pm, Beaumont Police Department requested assistance from Hemet Police in regard to a wanted felon who had barricaded himself inside a Beaumont Avenue home. Beaumont officers had seen the suspect near a stolen vehicle in front of the house. When the suspect, who is known to carry high powered weapons, was confronted by officers, he ran into the home and would not come out.
Beaumont Police requested a Hemet officer respond with one of Hemet Police Department's armored vehicles. The request was granted and a Hemet officer was at the Beaumont address in minutes with a Homeland Security funded 'Bearcat' armored vehicle.
With the safety provided by the Bearcat, officers were able to enter the residence and subsequently arrest the following people:
Robert White Cloud Trujillo 20 years old Possession of Stolen Property & Felony Warrant
Sarah Lugo 37 years old Accessory & Violation of Probation
Amanda Lugo 51 years old Accessory & Violation of Probation
Harvis Armstrong 38 years old Resisting/Obstructing Officers
Hemet Police Captain Rob Webb said, "We were extremely pleased when we acquired this vehicle through a federal grant a couple years ago. As part of that grant, we agreed to provide this type of service to local agencies when needed. Once again, it worked out perfectly; the officers were able to safely get in there and quickly remove that element thereby reducing the risk to the public."
Captain Webb said the vehicle has been used several times in dangerous situations and has also become a crowd favorite at community events.