Man arrested in Atwater after pointing a gun, threatening to shoot a woman, police say
Police arrested a 19-year old man in Atwater on Friday after he allegedly pointed a semiautomatic pistol at a couple at Ralston Park, threatening to shoot a woman in broad daylight.
Officers responded to a call at 2:30 p.m. to Third Street near Elm Avenue after a report of a male brandishing a handgun, Atwater Police said in a news release.
Police located the caller and his girlfriend, who told them another man had just pointed a semiautomatic pistol at them and threatened to shoot the woman.
According to police, suspect Julio Cisneros-Leon fled the scene on foot but was chased down by officers before he stopped on the 1600 block of Drakely Avenue. Police said Cisneros-Leon held the gun to his head several times during the foot pursuit.
When he finally stopped on Drakely Avenue, he again held the pistol to his head as officers shouted commands for him to drop the weapon. He eventually complied with the orders and was taken into custody.
Police said the firearm was found to be loaded with a round in the chamber.
Cisneros-Leon is being held in the Merced County Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, delaying or obstructing a peace officer, carrying a loaded firearm in public and possession of a firearm with no serial number.
