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BARSTOW – Two Barstow men were arrested for threatening a man who they believed was a sexual predator from Las Vegas, Nevada who was attempting to lure children into his car.

On the evening of Tuesday, June 6, 2017, Barstow Police responded to Del Mar Avenue and Young Street regarding an assault. When they arrived the victim told them that he was at the AMPM gas station located in the 100 block of Montara Road when two males, later identified as Joshua Morton, 30, and Kyle Ray Axe, 31. The victim reported that one of the males pointed a silver handgun at him and the second told him to “leave town”.

“The victim told officers that the allegation is based on a Facebook post that had been made about him when he arrived in town,” Barstow Police officials said. “The allegation had been investigated by the police department prior to this contact, and was found to be unsubstantiated.” The victim followed the males to a home in the 300 block of Del Mar Avenue. Officers arrived at the location, made contact with the males and the victim positively identified them as the two males who pointed a gun at him and threatened him.

A loaded silver handgun and rifle were located during a search of Morton and Axe’s home. The victim said that the silver handgun in the home was the same one used in the assault. Both Morton and Axe were arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, criminal conspiracy, and criminal threats. Both are being held at the High Desert Detention Center in lieu of $50,000 bail. Morton and Axe are scheduled to appear at the Victorville Superior Court on Thursday afternoon.

Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation may contact Officer Colleoc 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.