Suspect arrested after home break-ins, home-invasion and standoff in Incline Village

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - A man is under arrest after an hours-long standoff this weekend in Incline Village.

Washoe County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) patrol deputies were called to the 800 block of Winding Way shortly after 8:00 p.m. on June 12 after the home's occupant called 911 because she heard someone trying to gain access to her living space from the garage. The resident was home alone and told the dispatchers she was hiding in her bedroom.

When deputies arrived on the scene they could hear someone in the garage.

Placer County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Nevada Highway Patrol troopers assisted in setting up a perimeter while WCSO deputies attempted to get the suspect to surrender. Deputies were able to safely get the woman away from the house and in a safe location. After more than an hour of attempting to get the suspect to surrender, the WCSO SWAT Team arrived and took over command of the incident.

While SWAT operators took over, deputies found evidence of residential burglaries at neighboring homes. The method of entry was the same as the incident which was currently underway.

SWAT attempted to get the suspect to walk out of the residence for more than two hours. Operators then used cutting-edge technology to determine the suspect’s exact location. Utilizing less-lethal tactics, 49-year old Donald Diffin was taken into custody without incident shortly after 11:30 p.m.

Diffin is charged with two felony counts of home invasion, first offense; a felony count of residential burglary, first offense; a felony count of attempted home invasion; and a misdemeanor count of obstructing and resisting a peace officer. He is currently at the Washoe County Jail.