UPDATED: Regional SWAT Team Arrests Suspected Felon

A combined force of Gilroy and Morgan Hill SWAT team officers arrested a man believed to be armed with a firearm on the 800 block of El Cerrito Way Wednesday morning. He was charged with felony domestic violence, according to a press release from the Gilroy Police Department.

The suspect, 35-year-old Justino Garcia, is a previous felon and was reportedly found in possession of methamphetamine, a firearm and ammunition around 8 a.m., police said.

Police received reports of a sexual assault and domestic violence incident involving Garcia on Tuesday, learning that the victim received “serious, but non-life-threatening injuries during the assault,” police said.

The victim reportedly told police that Garcia was armed, and a preliminary investigation revealed that he “had a propensity for violence and was a prior deported felon,” police said.

The regional SWAT team, assigned because of the heightened risk, took Garcia into custody without incident, police said.

Detectives interviewed Garcia before he was booked in the Santa Clara County Main Jail, and the district attorney may pursue additional charges as the investigation continues, police said.

“The Gilroy Police Department is proud that this incident was resolved without incident," according to a police statement. "The arrest of the suspect demonstrates the department’s commitment to our community’s safety and quality of life.”