On Monday January 31, 2022, at 7:15 am, Oceanside Police responded to a call from a resident who stated an adult family member, who had been evicted from the residence eight months prior, was refusing to leave the home located at the 3900 Block of Pala Road. Officers arrived on scene and contacted the male adult. Mental health and housing resources were offered. The man was cooperative and compliant with the homeowner’s wishes for him to leave the premises.
Approximately thirty minutes later, the man returned and broke into the home through a window, reportedly armed with a knife. The residents fled to a neighbor’s home for safety, when the suspect followed after them. A neighbor attempted to detain the suspect, when the suspect produced what appeared to be a firearm, pointing it at the neighbor. At that time the neighbor and residents retreated into the neighbor’s home and contacted Oceanside Police. When officers arrived on scene, they contacted the suspect, 23-year-old Nathan Elwood, who had re-entered the family residence. The suspect refused to exit the home but officers were able to establish communication with the suspect. Out of an abundance of caution, officers cleared the area and positioned an armored rescue vehicle to assist with the containment.
Over the course of the next two hours, officers worked to diffuse the volatile situation, talking with the suspect and offering him opportunities to exit the residence. At approximately 10:00 am, the suspect moved to the front of the residence where he was taken into custody following utilization of less-than lethal options. A BB gun, indistinguishable from a handgun, was recovered at the scene.
The suspect was arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Burglary. For additional information, please contact Oceanside Police Department Public Information Officer Jennifer Atenza at (760) 277-5237 or email jatenza@oceansideca.org.
