El Cajon stand-off ends with suspect in custody

EL CAJON (CNS) – A 31-year-old man was in custody and facing drug charges Monday following a nearly four-hour standoff in El Cajon that began when the man allegedly threatened to kill someone, police said.

Officers were requested at a house in the 900 block of Avocado Avenue shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday by a 911 caller who said David Douglas Wittmer had threatened to kill him and owned a gun, according to El Cajon police Lt. Tim Henton.

Wittmer refused to come out of the house for officers, who then called in SWAT and crisis negotiators, Henton said.

About 7:50 p.m., Wittmer surrendered without incident and officers entered the home to find 27 mature marijuana plants in one room, as well as additional plants in a second room, Henton said.

Wittmer was arrested and booked into county jail on suspicion of making criminal threats, cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale.