Domestic Violence Incident Leads to Discovery of Drugs and a Loaded Firearm

BARSTOW – A 29-year-old Barstow man led officers from the Barstow station on a wild chase on Sunday morning authorities said. The incident was first reported at around 8:17 a.m. as a domestic violence incident in the 1200 block of Barstow Road in the City of Barstow. While en route officers learned that Jessie Lewis allegedly assaulted his girlfriend, who as a result was in need of medical treatment.

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The female victim called a second time to state that Lewis was leaving in a white Chevy Suburban heading southbound on Barstow Road. One of the officers witnessed the vehicle heading south on Barstow Road, make a U-turn at the intersection of Barstow Road and Windy Pass. The officer followed the vehicle and activated his lights and sirens as the vehicle headed northbound, running two red lights and entering the I-15 south from Barstow Road. Just after entering the freeway, a dark-colored backpack was tossed out of the vehicle and the vehicle continued to drive southbound with the patrol vehicle in pursuit. The vehicle stopped around 1 mile north of Avenue L. The officer exited his patrol vehicle and the driver quickly made a U-turn heading northbound in the southbound lanes of the I-15.

A second officer was able to retrieve the backpack that was thrown from the vehicle and enter the freeway. The Chevy continued driving on Barstow Road against traffic and veered across several lanes of traffic to exit Barstow Road using the onramp. Police continued to pursue the driver as he turned from Barstow Road to Virginia Way. The driver of the vehicle stopped in the 700 block of East Virginia Way in an apartment complex. Both the driver and the passenger got out of the vehicle and fled on foot west through the complex. The officers followed and apprehended Lewis in the area of Lookout Drive and Virginia Way. He was arrested, but they were unable to locate the passenger.

The backpack discarded from the vehicle contained a large amount of marijuana and a loaded 9mm handgun. The victim, who had visible injuries to her face and neck was interviewed and stated that Lewis had punched and scratched her in the face during an argument. The Barstow Fire Protection District responded to treat the victim and Lewis was booked into jail for domestic violence, felon in possession of a loaded firearm, felony evading, and driving on the wrong side of the road.

Anyone with additional information regarding these investigations may contact Corporal Nevarez at the Barstow Police Department at (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.