Armed robbery suspect captured after marathon standoff in Northeast Fresno

It was a typical busy morning on Gettysburg Avenue when, at about 11:10 a.m., officers got a call about an armed robbery at the AutoZone on First Street. The clerk, still rattled, told them a man in his forties had swaggered in, flashed a gun and made off with merchandise.

Fresno detectives, some working undercover nearby, quickly traced the suspect’s vehicle to a backyard off Gettysburg. They cordoned off the street between First and Fresno, set up a perimeter and even deployed drones to keep an eye on the house.

Inside, the police believed the robber and a woman were the only occupants. Attempts to speak with the suspect fell flat – he wasn’t answering his phone, and the door stayed shut.

After a few tense minutes, the department called in the SWAT team. The tactical unit approached, tried to negotiate, and eventually forced entry. The suspect had barricaded himself for roughly eight hours, but when the door finally gave way, he was taken into custody without further incident.

Officials say they haven’t released the suspect’s name yet, and the firearm used in the robbery remains missing. The man has a prior record and is expected to face charges for armed robbery, with additional firearms counts likely to follow once the gun is recovered.

Gettysburg Avenue reopened shortly after the operation, and police are asking anyone with more information to contact the Fresno Police Department.