LUDLOW, Calif. (VVNG.com) A 32-year-old Barstow man is behind bars after he stole a car and then pointed a gun directly at a deputy.
Juan Anthony Lopez was identified as the suspect who stole a Chevy Silverado pick-up truck near Old State Highway/Irwin Road in Barstow.
On Friday, April 14, 2017, at 11:16 a.m. Sheriff’s Dispatch received a 911 call from the owner of the stolen truck saying him, and a friend had visual on the truck and was following it.
Deputies from the Barstow Sheriff’s Station and Sheriff’s Aviation 40K, located the suspect driving the stolen vehicle on a dirt road in Ludlow.
“A spike strip was deployed on the dirt road. As the suspect neared the spike strip, he slowed and pointed a handgun directly at the deputy who was standing near the spike strip,” Sheriff’s officials said.
“The deputy, fearing for his safety fired his Ruger Mini-14 rifle. The round missed the suspect and struck the vehicle,” a Saturday press release stated.
The car ran over the spike strip and continued to flee from law enforcement with deflated tires.
The suspect stopped near the Dairy Queen, located at 25635 Crucero Road in Ludlow and was arrested without further incident. During a search of the stolen vehicle, a loaded handgun was located in the front seat.
Lopez and the deputy were not injured. Lopez was booked at the Barstow Sheriff’s Jail for PC 245(c), CVC 10851(a) and CVC 2800.1.
Sheriff’s Homicide Investigators are conducting the investigation. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact Detective Art Alvarado at (909) 387-3589.
Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.
Share this:
