Several police officers, police dogs and a helicopter were called out in the early morning hours Tuesday after a homeowner surprised a burglar in his home. The incident occurred shortly after 2 a.m. in the 1000 block of El Capitan, according to early reports from the Danville Police Department.
Sgt. Ron Bradley said apparently the burglar, identified as Braden Nichols, 21, of no fixed address, was discovered by the owner inside the garage. A scuffle ensued between the burglar, the homeowner and his two sons. Bradley said Nichols escaped from the trio and ran outdoors, jumping fences and cutting through yards in the neighborhood.
Police officers from Danville, San Ramon and the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office responded to the disturbance call and set up a perimeter in the neighborhood. Police dogs as well as a helicopter were brought in to track Nichols.
Bradley said the dogs caught the scent of the fleeing suspect and followed him to a garage in the 1600 block of Harlan. Initially, a search of the garage did not reveal Nichols.
“They walk into the garage and don’t see anything, then one of the sheriff’s deputies sees the gas flap on the car is open,” Bradley said. The homeowner indicated it had not been left in that condition so the deputy used the latch to pop open the trunk, revealing the hiding Nichols.
After spying the suspect, the deputy closed the lid on the trunk again and called for additional officers. Once they had arrived, the lid was opened again. Nichols refused to leave the trunk, holding police at bay with a screwdriver, police said. The standoff lasted a few minutes before a police dog was given the order to attack
“The dog went in and bit him, and the guy decided he’d had enough and surrendered,” said Bradley.
Police expect Nichols to be charged with armed robbery and first-degree burglary. In addition the man is wanted on three warrants out of Contra Costa County, for possession of stolen property/possession of a firearm by an ex-felon; reckless driving; and illegal weapons. He is currently being held at the Martinez Detention Center.
