Man accused of gun assaults, causing Banning police stand-off, to stand trial
A man who allegedly threatened a woman, then held police at bay for hours in a Banning home before managing to escape undetected, must stand trial on several felony charges, including assault with a gun and making criminal threats, a judge ruled today.
James David Britton, 33, is accused of threatening an unidentified woman on July 28, then fleeing from officers into a home in the 3900 block of West Ramsey Street, triggering a barricade situation with police that lasted almost 12 hours.
Police allege that after threatening the woman at a Banning home, he fled before officers arrived and when he was located a few blocks away, he ran from officers into the West Ramsey street home.
After nearly 12 hours, police entered the home and discovered Britton had slipped away from the home undetected, though a stolen handgun was found inside.
Authorities disseminated Britton’s photograph to the public and warned that he was believed to be armed and dangerous. He was arrested July 31 at a home on Wyte Way in Banning, where police say he had holed up with acquaintances after fleeing.
Britton is also charged in a separate case for allegedly assaulting and threatening a man and woman with a firearm less than two weeks prior to the barricade incident.
Court documents do not specify whether he is accused of threatening the same woman in both cases.
Britton is due back in court Sept. 17 for a post-preliminary hearing arraignment.
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