Man Jailed for Aggravated Assault after Threatening Women with Assault Rifle

A 23-year-old man who assaulted two women and threatened to kill them with an assault rifle was apprehended yesterday at an apartment complex in the 800 block of Knickerbocker.

Police were dispatched to the 2100 block of Cunningham at approximately 9:21 a.m. for the report of a subject with a weapon. 

Upon arrival, police spoke with two female victims, a 52-year-old and a 21-year-old, who stated they had been assaulted by Armando Barrera, Jr.  During the course of the assault, Barrera exhibited an assault rifle and threatened to kill the victims, police related.  No shots were fired, and Barrera left the area. The victims received minor injuries.

Barrera was located by police in an apartment building in the 800 block of Knickerbocker, but he didn't have the assault rifle with him at the time. Officers learned through the investigation that Barrera had been seen putting the assault rifle in the trunk of a car, which was later located and seized.

Detective James Hernandez responded to the scene to conduct the investigation.  Barrera was arrested for two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a controlled substance less than one gram.