Costa Mesa : Fugitive From Arizona Arrested After Standoff
A fugitive sought on Arizona kidnap charges was arrested Sunday after a 90-minute standoff with federal authorities and police at his Costa Mesa home.
Reed William Merrill, 42, was taken into custody at an apartment at 2300 Fairview Road, police said. Merrill is wanted in connection with the 1982 abduction of two police officers in Maricopa County, Arizona.
According to Costa Mesa police, two shotguns, two rifles, two “flash grenades” and a .44-caliber handgun, all loaded, were found in the apartment.
Police went to the apartment on a tip. After Merrill’s automobile was spotted about 10 p.m., 15 officers surrounded the complex.
A woman who police said was Merrill’s wife opened the door when officers knocked, but slammed and locked it when she recognized police. Officers forced the door open, but Merrill had barricaded himself in a rear bedroom with the weapons, police said.
During the standoff, Merrill allegedly threatened officers, but finally was persuaded by police to surrender to an FBI agent, police said.
Merrill is being held at Orange County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.
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