Brea Man Goes Quietly to End Standoff

A Brea man, apparently upset over his upcoming birthday and a recent relationship breakup, barricaded himself for eight hours in his garage apartment Saturday before surrendering without incident to an arsenal of police, officials said.

The incident began about 4:30 a.m. Saturday in the 600 block of Willow Drive when Salvador Orozco, 27, called 911. According to police, he threatened suicide and said, “If anyone tries to come near me, I’ll shoot them.”

Approximately 25 police officers--some in full SWAT gear--responded to the usually quiet neighborhood. Five people were evacuated from the house, along with residents from adjacent homes.

Unable to trace Orozco’s whereabouts from a live cell phone thrown in the house, police said they inserted a tiny remote-control camera into the garage door and found him resting on his bed.

“Basically, the entire world was outside his door,” said Lt. Dave Carlock, “and he had no idea at all.”

Police recovered an unused pellet gun from the premises.

Police said that Orozco, who works as a cook, was being treated last night at a nearby medical facility for a drug overdose.

“A lot of resources went out there,” Carlock said. “We’re glad he didn’t hurt himself, but he caused a great imposition for a whole lot of people.”