Barstow Police nab fugitive wanted by FBI since 2016

BARSTOW, Calif. (VVNG.com) — The Barstow Police Department nabbed a fugitive wanted by the FBI since 2016, officials said.

It happened on Thursday, December 12, 2019, at about 8:00 am when detectives with Barstow PD and Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted surveillance in the area of the 2100 block of Sierra Linda Drive

The surveillance involved a suspect identified as Talalelei Iopu, a 29-year old Barstow resident.

“Detective Mathew Helms worked with Agents from the FBI and learned that Lopu has been a fugitive since 2016 and that the agents recently tracked Lopu to the City of Barstow. Detective Helms learned that Lopu had multiple state and federal felony warrants for his arrest,” stated a sheriff’s news release.

Within about an hour, detectives observed Lopu driving a vehicle in the area of Sierra Linda and Rimrock Road.

According to a news release, the detectives followed the vehicle until a patrol unit was able to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle in the 2100 block of Sierra Linda Drive along with detectives and federal agents.

Lopu was arrested without incident and booked on the following warrants:

State:

PC 29820 (b) Prohibited person with a firearm

PC 246.3 Discharge of a firearm with gross negligence

PC 29800 (a) (1) Felon in possession of a firearm

PC 69 Resist or Obstruct a Peace Officer

Federal:

Title 18 USC 922 (g) (1) Felon in possession of a firearm

Title 18 USC 924(d) Criminal forfeiture

Talalelei Iopu was turned over to the the FBI Agents for booking.

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