By DOUGLAS W. MOTLEY
Senior Writer
A slew of sheriff’s deputies and CHP officers were dispatched to the Top Town area of Crestline around 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 15, in response to multiple reports of a man brandishing a gun in the vicinity of Crest Forest and Fern Drives.
In the meantime, a sheriff’s helicopter joined the manhunt by circling the Crestline vicinity, requesting the known suspect, Alejandro Cristobal, to turn himself in.
Local residents were advised to lock their doors and stay inside, while announcements from the airship centered on, “You have no place to run, Alejandro” and “You’re surrounded, Alejandro, give up.” Others in the area heard a helicopter flying back and forth over Scenic, Fern and Pioneer Camp Drives announcing, “Alejandro, please surrender peacefully.”
This reporter, who encountered several deputies from three sheriff’s patrol units parked about midway down Scenic Drive around 2:30 p.m., was informed that the suspect was still at large and that they couldn’t talk to right then but would have more details later on.
My next stop was at the Shell gas station at the corner of Lake Drive and Pioneer Camp, where I was recognized by a Scenic Drive resident who had seen me there, minutes earlier, and informed me that Alejandro lives in his neighborhood. The unidentified neighbor said that there is a path through the forest that connects with Fern Drive.
A well-armed sheriff’s deputy standing by at the corner of Crest Forest and Fern Drives.
My next stop was at Fern and Crest Forest Drives, where I met two more sheriff’s deputies, one of whom said the gun that Alejandro was brandishing was “fake.” No further details were available at 5 p.m. on Monday; however, sheriff’s and CHP units continued patrolling Crest Forest, Fern and Scenic Drives until just before sunset.
On Tuesday morning, Jan. 16), the Alpine Mountaineer learned from sheriff’s Public Information Officer Mara Rodriguez that there had been a domestic disturbance involving the 26-year-old suspect who fled the scene with a handgun.
“With Sheriff’s Aviation and CHP assistance, an area check was conducted while the deputies investigated the incident. Through investigation, we determined the weapon the suspect left with was a replica revolver. The suspect is wanted for domestic violence and an arrest warrant was issued,” Rodriquez said.
According to an informed source, additional charges may be pending.
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