Barstow Man Arrested for Threatening to Shoot His Neighbor

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BARSTOW – A 19-year-old Barstow man was arrested after threatening to shoot a neighbor with a Zip gun authorities said. On Monday, June 19, 2017, at around 8:34 p.m. Barstow Police received the report of a suspect threatening a male subject with a firearm. Officers arrived at the apartment complex, located at 2980 East Main Street.

Officers made contact with the victim who said that he was at the apartment complex swimming pool when the suspect named Jose Cortez approached and threatened to shoot him with a Zip gun. The victim did not see the Zip Gun in his possession but has seen Cortez in possession of a Zip gun in the past leading him to take the threat seriously. Officers learned that Cortez lived in apartment 205, where they made contact with Cortez. A Zip gun was located at his home, upon examining the gun, officers learned that it had interchangeable barrels allowing the gun to use 9mm,7.62x35mm, and 20 gauge ammunition.

The victim positively identified Jose Cortez as the person who threatened to shoot him. Cortez was booked into jail for Criminal Threats and Possession of a Zip Gun. He is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail and is scheduled to appear at the Victorville Superior Court on Wednesday afternoon.

Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation may contact Officer Helms at the Barstow Police Department (760) 256-2211. Those wishing to remain anonymous may also report criminal activity by calling the WE-Tip hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.