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FULLERTON, Calif. () — Cleanup efforts are underway at a Fullerton smoke shop after a man allegedly barricaded himself inside the business, wielded a large knife and caused extensive damage during a hours-long standoff with police.
The incident occurred Sunday morning at Rodeo Smoke Shop at Orangethorpe Avenue and Harbor Boulevard. The business is now boarded up following the confrontation, and police estimate the damage at about $30,000.
According to the Fullerton Police Department, 41-year-old Michael Black entered the store around 10:30 a.m. and allegedly armed himself with a knife. A female employee who was working alone fled the business and called 911.
“I’m unsure if he came in with the knife or if he obtained the knife from inside the business,” Sgt. Billy Phu of the Fullerton Police Department said.
An employee at neighboring K’s Market said the smoke shop worker sought help after escaping.
“She came in very frightened,” Harmesh Lal of K’s Market said.
Police said Black was seen wielding a large knife, holding it to his neck and refusing to cooperate with officers while vandalizing the business. Police said he spray-painted windows, knocked over refrigerators and merchandise displays, and attempted to set parts of the store on fire.
Authorities evacuated the entire strip mall during the standoff. After about four hours, officers broke through the glass at the store’s entrance, deployed a chemical agent inside the business and took Black into custody.
Police said Black is from San Francisco and was not known to local authorities but has an extensive criminal history.
“He is a convicted felon,” Phu said.
The motive remains unclear.
Police said Black was booked on multiple charges, including assault on an officer, possession of nitrous oxide, felony vandalism, obstruction/resisting, brandishing a weapon, arson and resisting or delaying arrest.
As cleanup continues at the damaged business, police said the suspect remains in custody facing the charges related to the incident.
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