Standoff Suspect Pleads Not Guilty to Five Felonies

A man who was apparently suicidal when he allegedly armed himself and threatened sheriff’s deputies as they tried to coax him out of his home on Powers Road remained in custody Friday in lieu of $50,000 bail.

David W. Becker, 53, pleaded not guilty Thursday to five felony charges, including three counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. A bail review is set for July 10.

Monday of a possibly armed man threatening suicide in the 13700 block of Powers Road, according to San Diego County sheriff’s Sgt. Tim Matzkiw. Deputies responded and spotted Becker armed with a rifle inside the front entry of a home, the sergeant said.

Becker told deputies he wanted to die, would not be taken alive, and that the interior of his residence was booby-trapped with explosives, Matzkiw said.

A sheriff’s crisis negotiations team was called and eventually coaxed Becker outside, where he was taken into custody without further incident, according to the sergeant.

The sheriff’s bomb arson team checked out the home and , but did find loaded firearms and ammunition, along with a bulletproof vest, Matzkiw said.

Becker was taken to Pomerado Hospital for a medical evaluation before being booked into San Diego Central Jail.

Details on Becker’s previous conviction were not immediately available.

A readiness conference was set July 16 and a preliminary hearing for July 18.

-City News Service