Thursday, October 1, 2026
A Long Beach man was arrested June 2 following a series of incidents that ended with an alleged home invasion, an assault and the recovery of what police said appeared to be a handgun.
Long Beach Police officers responded to reports that Sandoval Gomez, 18, had attempted to steal a bicycle from a residential backyard. While investigating, officers received a report of a man who matched the suspect’s description in the backyard of a home on Michigan Street holding what police said appeared to be a handgun.
According to police, Sandoval Gomez unlawfully entered the residence and confronted a woman, who ran outside to seek help from her husband. The husband told police he found Sandoval Gomez inside a bedroom.
Police said Sandoval Gomez allegedly then attempted to enter a nearby home before being confronted by a resident and chased away.
According to officials, Sandoval Gomez allegedly pointed what appeared to be a black handgun at the resident, striking the person in the head. Police later determined the weapon was a BB gun.
Long Beach Police Commissioner Richard DePalma praised responding officers for their actions.
"This was a deeply disturbing series of events that understandably caused significant concern among our residents,” DePalma wrote in a statement. “Thanks to the rapid response, professionalism and determination of our officers, a dangerous situation was quickly brought under control before anyone suffered more serious injuries.”
Sandoval Gomez was charged with three counts of first-degree burglary, one count of first-degree attempted burglary, one count of second-degree assault, one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and two counts of fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.
He was arraigned in Long Beach City Court on June 3 and ordered held on $250,000 cash bail or a $2.5 million bond. Officials noted that Sandoval Gomez had recently been arrested and charged with third-degree burglary in May, but was released because the charge is not bail-eligible.
Sandoval Gomez is represented by James Andrew McGlynn. His next court appearance had not been scheduled as of press time.
The investigation remains ongoing.
