Arrest Ends Motel Room Barricade

Police officers used tear gas and dogs to arrest a transient who barricaded himself inside a motel room for about 12 hours, authorities said Sunday.

The manager of the Tampico Motel, 120 S. State College Blvd., called police about 3:30 p.m. Saturday after a 43-year-old guest refused to leave or pay, police said.

When officers knocked on the door of Room 112, the man told them that he had a gun and would shoot anyone who entered, Lt. Ray Welch said.

“He said, ‘Get away from the door, I have a gun,’ ” Welch said.

Officers summoned the special tactics detail, which attempted by telephone to talk the man into surrendering, Sgt. Thomas Lahmon said.

After unsuccessful efforts, detectives obtained a search warrant for the motel room and an arrest warrant for the man.

Detectives opened the motel room door with keys obtained from the manager and first sent in a dog.

“He resisted and tried to fight the dog, and the canine latched onto him,” said Welch. Then, “the officers went in and handcuffed him.”

John William Turner was arrested on suspicion of making a terrorist threat, threatening on-duty officers and other violations.

He suffered injuries from the canine attack and was transported to Western Medical Center-Anaheim, where he was reported in good condition, investigators said.