Man Destroys Motel 6 Room ‘Top to Bottom,’ Arrested After 3-Hour Standoff.

Updated at 12:02 p.m. May 6, 2012

La Mesa police broke through a barricaded door early Sunday to find a man—but no hostages—in a “completely destroyed” Room 206 of the Motel 6 on Alvarado Road.

Seth Sepulvado, 36, was arrested on charges of felony vandalism and threatening officers, said police Sgt. Steve Osmers. Damage was estimated at $6,000.

A dozen families were evacuated at 11 p.m. Saturday, but were allowed to return to their rooms around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, said a Red Cross official and authorities.

La Mesa police were backed up by a bomb squad from the Sheriff’s Department and a mobile command post, which arrived at the scene near Bob Stall Chevrolet about midnight—an hour after patrons were told to leave their rooms.

“They came knocking on our doors, and said come out and stand against the wall,” said a San Diego woman staying with her son. She gave only her first name—Cheryl. 

“Everyone’s getting out; it’s a hostage situation,” Cheryl quoted police as saying.

But Osmers said no hostage was found. No weapons or explosives were found in the room.

About 10:10 p.m. Saturday, police responded to a call that water from Room 206 was flooding into a unit below it, and Motel 6 staff couldn’t contact the occupants by phone or knocking on the door, Osmers said.

When wires were noted somehow, police worried about a booby trap. And the man told police: “Don't come in. I’ve got a gun.” Moaning also was heard in the room, leading police to think a hostage was inside, Osmers said.

The motel was evacuated, leaving some families to wait 100 yards west on a sidewalk fronting Bob Stall Chervolet.

But at exactly 1 a.m., after using a flash-bang device as a distraction, a La Mesa special-response team made a “dynamic entry.” Officers broke down a door barricaded with furniture, Osmers said.

But while no hostage was present, the room was found to be destroyed “top to bottom,” Osmers said.

Andy McKellar of the American Red Cross earlier said a Motel 6 in El Cajon would take the evacuees. Transportation was promised to those who didn’t have cars, he said.

The motel at 7621 Alvarado Rd. is just east of the Chevrolet dealership and west of Comanche Drive, and a Nixle alert at 11 p.m. advised residents to stay away from the area.

Evacuees Kevin and Teresa Walden of the Antelope Valley town of Quartz Hill—here to see a Little League game with their children and grandchildren—said they saw 15-20 officers when they were told to leave  Saturday night.

Sepulvado, the suspect, was described by Osmers as a white male transient.