Photo: Ezequiel Flores
SAN JOSE – On Sunday morning at 6:50 am a call came into the San Jose Police 9-1-1 dispatch center reporting a home invasion robbery at an apartment complex in the vicinity of San Jose State University near E. Williams and South Ninth Streets.
Arriving officers located a 17-year-old suspect near the scene in an adjacent yard. Police saw the other suspect climbing on top of a carport roof.
Prior to the suspect’s arrest, 18-year-old Ezequiel Flores was then seen by police officers running from an adjacent parking garage, where he jumped down to hide in a 55-gallon drum. But to his dismay, the barrel was full of fat and grease (“liquid lard-” ABC7) from a taco truck that runs its operations from the open parking area during the day.
Flores got out of the barrel and, when approached by officers, was given demands to drop his weapon. After failing to comply, an officer fire a shot towards the suspect in an attempt to drive his attention away from handling the weapon. San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia said, “He had a very clear backdrop, and didn’t fear there would be a round he couldn’t account for. I think the officer used sound tactics.” A loaded handgun that had been reported stolen was recovered from the scene.
After being shot at, Flores surrendered without further confrontation and was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail. However, Flores had injured his ankle and was covered in grease as he arrived at the main jail. Bail for Flores has been set at $186,000.
ABC7 notes that Flores turned 18 “only six days earlier.”
