Storm Lake burglary arrest ends in struggle, officers injured, bond set
Martin Guillen was arrested near Scooter’s Coffee after police say he entered a woman’s vehicle, claimed he had a gun, and fought officers before kicking out a patrol window.
Storm Lake police say a burglary call near Scooter’s Coffee on Seneca Street turned into a fast-moving arrest, a foot chase and injuries to three officers after Martin Guillen was taken into custody in the nearby Fareway parking lot.
Police said the incident began around 7:26 p.m. on April 18 in the drive-thru lane at 801 Seneca Street, where an occupied vehicle was stopped with children nearby. The vehicle was occupied by Guillen’s estranged ex-girlfriend and her children. Authorities said Guillen entered the car, told the victim he had a gun and ordered the person not to call anyone.
When officers arrived, they said Guillen tried to run on foot. Police reported that he resisted commands and struggled with officers for several minutes before he was finally subdued. The arrest ended in the Fareway parking lot at 731 Seneca Street, a short distance from Scooter’s, after officers chased him through one of Storm Lake’s most visible retail corridors.
The confrontation did not end there. Police said Guillen kicked out a rear window of the patrol vehicle while being placed inside, shattering the glass. Officers then used a Taser. Guillen was taken to Buena Vista Regional Medical Center for minor injuries and later booked into the Buena Vista County Jail.
Guillen, 36, faces second-degree burglary, assault while participating in a felony, second-degree criminal mischief and three counts of interference with official acts causing bodily injury. Under Iowa Code section 713.5, second-degree burglary is a class C felony. A $50,500 bond was set.
The case also raised a workplace-safety issue for the Storm Lake Police Department, which says it has 20 sworn officers, one civilian staff member, two volunteer chaplains and a volunteer physician assigned to its Tactical Entry Team. Three officers suffered minor injuries during the arrest, adding another layer to a case that began with a burglary call in a drive-thru lane and ended with a damaged patrol car, a hospital visit and a criminal case now moving through Buena Vista County court.
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