A Rancho Cucamonga man was arrested Saturday on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after he threatened people preparing to run a marathon in Azusa with a rifle that turned out to be a replica.
The incident happened about 4:45 a.m. around Citrus and Alosta avenues, where 10-15 people were preparing to board a bus for the start of the Revel Canyon City Marathon, Azusa police said. The man appeared to be holding a rifle while circling the people in his black, raised GMC truck, police said. He stopped, got out of the truck and pointed the rifle directly at the victims while making threats, then got back in and left.
Since several local police departments were assisting with marathon traffic, officers were quickly able to develop information that led police to Joseph Fierro, 51, in Rancho Cucamonga, police said. He was detained at a residence and the vehicle was searched, police said. They allegedly found several replica firearms, pellets, magazines and other items.
Fierro was booked at Azusa police headquarters for suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, police said. He was held in lieu of $50,000 bail with a court appearance set for Tuesday, according to sheriff's inmate records.
Police were looking for any other victims who may have been threatened by Fierro. They were asked to call Officer Mike Bires at (626) 812-3200.
