March 28, 2022 - Gustine, CA – On March 26, 2022, at approximately 4:24 p.m., the Merced County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a possible burglary in progress in the 1000 block of Hunt Road in the Gustine area. The victim stated that when she got home and attempted to enter her house, she was met by an unknown Hispanic male adult who yelled at her to “Get out this is my house” and then slammed the door in her face. Deputies arrived on scene and noticed the subject, identified as 30-year-old Lynn Stephen Thayer from Stockton, had covered all the windows in the house and refused all commands to come outside. Due to hearing possible gunshots coming from the area, the Merced County Sheriff’s SWAT Team was requested.

As the SWAT team was arriving on scene, deputies noticed there was a fire that was set from inside and started to spread. Additionally, Thayer had climbed to the top of the house through an air duct. Thayer then jumped off the roof and was taken into custody by deputies. Thayer was booked into the Merced County Jail on charges of burglary and arson.

Source: Merced County Sheriff's Office