ATWATER -- An Atwater man was arrested on suspicion of pointing a gun at his stepfather during a dispute late last week and running from police, authorities said Monday.
Officers were called to the 200 block of Judy Drive after someone at a home in the area called 911 then hung up about 8:45 p.m. Thursday, according to police.
Before officers arrived at the home, a woman contacted police to say she had accidentally dialed 911, and that there wasn't a real emergency. Officers who went to the home discovered a verbal dispute between a 48-year-old man, Kevin Lewis, and a 52-year-old woman with whom he lives.
Neighbors told police that another man was at the house, pointing a gun at Lewis during an argument. They said he dropped the gun and fled on foot when officers arrived, according to Lt. Sam Joseph.
The man pointing the gun was identified as 24-year-old Vincent Staudinger Jr., Lewis' stepson. It is unknown what the dispute was about, police said.
Officers located a loaded .38-caliber revolver.
During the investigation, police said they learned that Staudinger had been given the gun by two acquaintances who had dropped it off at the home. They were questioned by police and released.
A warrant was issued for Staudinger's arrest, but Joseph said the man turned himself in to police about 11 p.m. without incident. However, Staudinger denied having the weapon or threatening his stepfather with the gun.
Staudinger was booked into the Merced County jail on suspicion of assault with deadly weapon, possession of a firearm and ammunition, and brandishing a firearm. He is being held on $201,000 bail.
Officers made a second trip to the same home about 10 p.m. Thursday and arrested the stepfather, Lewis. He is accused of punching the woman with whom he lives in the chest during an altercation. He was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence.
Reporter Ramona Giwargis can be reached at (209) 385-2477 or rgiwargis@mercedsunstar.com.
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