Long Standoff Ends With One of Two Suspects Jailed
A seven-hour standoff between a Costa Mesa SWAT team and two burglary suspects believed to be inside an apartment resulted in one arrest, police said Saturday.
About 3 p.m. Friday, Costa Mesa police responded to a call that two suspects wanted by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department were seen at an apartment in the 2100 block of Canyon Drive, said Lt. Dale Birney.
The SWAT team arrived at the apartment and tried to make contact with Sundee Waterman, 30, of Apple Valley and Michael Ralph Wofford, 37, of Victorville. Authorities were able to speak with Waterman, who ultimately surrendered, Birney said.
Throughout the evening, however, police were unable to make contact with Wofford. Hours later, they decided to enter the apartment, but Wofford was not inside.
“There’s a possibility he wasn’t even there,” Birney said.
Wofford is wanted on a $500,000 warrant and is suspected of two robberies and a burglary. Waterman was booked at the Orange County Jail on suspicion of possessing stolen property.
Wofford is described as white, 6-foot-2, weighing 185 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.
Investigators ask anyone with information to call Costa Mesa police at (714) 754-5690.
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