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SALT LAKE CITY — A man who forced residents of a Salt Lake neighborhood to seek shelter in their homes after allegedly firing multiple rounds and then entered an elderly woman's home to try and hide from police, is now facing numerous charges.
Angel Tinajero, 22, was charged Wednesday in 3rd District Court with burglary, kidnapping and possession of a gun by a restricted person, second-degree felonies; aggravated assault and four counts of discharge of a firearm, third-degree felonies.
On Sunday, a man saw Tinajero trying to break into his car near 1000 North and American Beauty Drive, according to charging documents. When he went out and asked Tinajero "Can I help you?" Tinajero "racked a silver handgun and pointed it at him," the charges state.
The man's dog began barking, causing a distraction and allowing the man time to get back inside his house. Tinajero started to walk away, "when he abruptly turned and fired the gun at (the) residence. (The man) located a bullet below the window facing toward the door," according to the charges.
The man continued to watch Tinajero as he got into a vehicle and drove off. The witness then got into his own car and followed, the charges state. Tinajero responded by firing three more rounds at him, according to the charges.
Not long after, police were notified of a second shooting that had occurred nearby. Investigators say a second witness saw Tinajero standing in his driveway when he fired a round, hitting a tree near the house, the charges state.
"The homeowner stated that the male suspect ran to a residence up the street, turned and fired a second time," according to the charges.
Police surrounded the area and ordered residents to stay in their homes. About three hours after the initial shooting report, Tinajero was spotted by police walking on Sterling Drive.
"(He) stated he just came from a residence in the neighborhood. Tinajero stated, 'I was in the house with the old lady, and we were talking about Jesus,'" according to charging documents.
Police were able to locate the elderly woman, who told detectives that she was watching TV when Tinajero came into her house, the charges state. Tinajero allegedly "told her police were after him and someone was shooting at him. Tinajero then began walking through the home without permission, changing out of his clothes and putting on clothes of (the woman's) deceased husband. (She) stated she tried to remain calm and felt trapped inside her home," the charges state
The woman says Tinajero continued to pace around her house and look out the windows while telling her not to call police. The woman said she did not want to "startle" Tinajero so she did not dial 911.
"Officers observed that (the woman) was visibly upset and at times had a difficult time speaking about what had occurred. Officers searched the home and located Tinajero's clothing and shoes," the charges state.
Tinajero was spotted by police shortly after leaving the woman's house and was arrested.
When questioned by detectives, Tinajero claimed he was driving his mom's car when it broke down near 1000 North and 1000 West, which angered him. He tried calling people to pick him up, but "no one came to help him so he got angrier," according to the charges.
