‘It Was Quite Spectacular': Hummer Rammed Through Hotel Wall in Family Dispute

"Something about love" led to a violent night at a San Dimas hotel, where a large SUV ended up partially inside the building

A man who was upset with family members repeatedly rammed his Hummer through the wall of a hotel in an attempt to break into their room, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Richard Melendez, 28, had been pounding on the San Dimas Extended Stay America Hotel room door, which led to a domestic disturbance call, the sheriff's department said. Melendez stopped knocking by the time deputies responded to the hotel lobby at about 1 a.m., but they arrived just in time to watch him crash a 2003 Hummer through the wall of the hotel, according to the sheriff's department.

Several guests came outside as the large sport utility vehicle struck the wall about six to 10 times before it stopped partially inside the hotel room. Guest Joey Clayton said there was an arugment before the crash.

"He bashed it into the room," Clayton said. "It was something about love. Something to do with love.

"It was quite spectacular."

Other guests were sleeping when the four-ton SUV slammed into the building.

"I was sleeping, and all of the sudden I heard this loud banging sound," said guest Mark Kuszewski. "I heard some girl screaming. I got up, went over to the window and here's this Hummer back over here pounded into the building."

Deputies later determined that the suspect's wife and four children, ages 1, 3, 5 and 6, were sleeping in a room across the hall from where the Hummer entered the three-story building.

"By some miracle, no one was injured," said Lt. Elisabeth Sachs.

Melendez, who was allegedly intoxicated and uncooperative with sheriff’s deputies, was subdued with a stun gun, the sheriff's department said in a statement. He was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and related charges at the San Dimas Station. Bail was set at $30,000.

Sheriff's Lt. Andy Berg told The Associated Press the suspect had not obtained a lawyer early Friday.

A building inspector was assessing the hotel damage Friday morning.

Guests who fled their rooms told deputies Melendez had a gun, but a gun was not found at the scene, deputies said.

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