Pellet Gun Wielding Man Arrested After Pursuit

Sunday - April 13, 2008 - 8:50 p.m. - Saugus:

Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley -  A Valencia resident was arrested Sunday night after deputies responded to a 9-1-1 call regarding a man brandishing a gun in the parking lot at the Vincenzo's Pizza - 20701 Plum Canyon Road.  The suspect was reportedly inside the restaurant where he made comments to a female patron and followed her and her friend into the parking lot as they walked to their car.  The patron and her friend returned to the restaurant and asked a couple of male friends to walk them to their car.  When they did, the suspect allegedly reached in through the open window of his parked car and retrieved a rifle, pointing it at the two men and asking them in Spanish if they had a problem. 

Other witnesses called 9-1-1 and responding deputies spotted the suspect's vehicle.  The suspect refused to stop and short pursuit was initiated which ended on West Galton Road.  Deputies report that they found a pellet gun rifle and pellets in the man's car. 

The suspect, Jose Castro, MH/37, was arrested on a felony charge of Assault with a Deadly Weapon and misdemeanor charges of Brandishing an Imitation Firearm in a Threatening Manner, Evading a Peace Officer, and Driving Without a License.  He was booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station and is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow.        

The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information at this time.  -ref 06613

If You See Something, Say Something!  Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips or calling (661) 284-2-TIP / (661) 284-2847. 

Always verify the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's information and news releases by visiting our website at SCVSheriff, the City of Santa Clarita's website at Santa-Clarita, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's website at LASD or a trusted local news source.  Three other local news outlets are KHTS AM-1220, The Signal and The West Ranch Beacon.  For questions regarding this release, contact Sergeant Harris at (661) 799-5814.