Barstow Deputies and CHP Officers apprehend an armed and dangerous felon following threats to the public 
DATE/TIME: July 3, 2015, at approximately 11:17 p.m.
INCIDENT: Capture of Wanted Armed and Dangerous Suspect
PC 30305(a) - Felon in Possession of Ammunition
LOCATION: Desert Oasis Rest Area, Newberry Springs
SUSPECT(S): Ronnie Joseph Paez, age 33, a resident of Colton, CA.
VICTIM(S): State of California
On July 03, 2015, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department received information of a wanted convicted felon by the San Bernardino County Probation Department. The suspect was identified as Ronnie Joseph Paez, 33 years old of Colton. At 11:17 p.m. deputies from the Barstow Station responded to the 52000 block of National Trails Highway in Newberry Springs, to a report of a man threatening people with a knife and a gun.
When deputies arrived, they learned the suspect fled on foot through the desert towards the Desert Oasis rest stop along Interstate-40 in Newberry Springs. A witness provided a description of the suspect which matched Ronnie Paez, and stated the suspect was armed with a sawed-off shotgun. During the search, deputies were assisted by officers from the California Highway Patrol. The combined effort by law enforcement agencies resulted in the arrest of Paez. At the time of the arrest deputies did an extensive search for the firearm but they were unable to locate one.
On July 04, 2015, during daylight hours of the following morning, deputies and CHP officers returned to the Oasis rest stop to continue the search for the gun deputies believed Paez had been carrying. Deputies and officers searched the area under a section of fencing, and they were able to match boot tracks with the boots Paez had been wearing during his arrest. Deputies were able to locate a sawed-off rifle loaded with ammunition that was described by a witness the night prior.
The firearm will be analyzed by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Scientific Investigations Division (SID) to determine if the weapon was used in any other crimes.
Refer: Deputy Rodriguez / Deputy Torno
Station: Barstow Station
Phone No. (760) 256 - 4838
Case No. 081500957
Address/Location
SBSD - Barstow Sheriff's Department
225 E Mountain View St
Barstow, CA 92311
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1