Criminal charges accuse Fort Ripley man of threatening people with gun – Brainerd Dispatch

BAXTER – A 30-year-old Fort Ripley man was arrested Monday, Oct. 28, after he allegedly pulled out a gun and made threats in Baxter.

Dennis Vasquez Jr. was charged in Crow Wing County District Court with threats of violence with reckless disregard for risk, gross misdemeanor driving while intoxicated, and misdemeanor counts of carrying a handgun while intoxicated and storing an open bottle.

Vasquez made his first appearance in Crow Wing County District Court on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

According to court documents, law enforcement received a report that the driver of a vehicle was threatening the driver of another vehicle with a gun at 7:04 p.m. Monday near the Culvers Restaurant in Baxter.

The threatened driver told officers they were in the driveway of Culvers with another adult in the passenger seat and two teenagers in the back seat. While in line, a man in a truck started yelling at them. The man was later identified as Vasquez.

Both vehicles left the parking lot and stopped on the road in close proximity to each other. Vasquez held the gun outside the door of his car for several seconds. They told officers he did not point the gun directly at them, although he made threatening statements to them while showing the gun. They then called 911 and reported the incident.

A short time later, law enforcement located a truck pulling into a gas station in Baxter.

Officers detected a faint odor of alcohol coming from Vasquez and a loaded 9mm handgun located between the driver’s seat and the center console. The pistol had a bullet in the chamber and a loaded magazine. Also in the vehicle was a partially full can of Coors Light. Vasquez refused to take a field sobriety test.

Vasquez admitted that he had recently gotten into a verbal altercation with the occupants of another vehicle near Culver’s restaurant. He said words were exchanged between both parties and both vehicles left the Culver’s parking lot. He said both vehicles stopped close to each other after leaving the lot, and Vasquez admitted to holding the firearm in his hand near the door.

Vasquez told officers he only pointed the firearm downward and never pointed it at the occupants of the other vehicle. Vasquez then drove to a gas station where he was stopped.

Vasquez was transported to the Crow Wing County Jail where he was read a breath test advisory. Vasquez took a breath test at 8:09 p.m. with a result of 0.08. He was then read the firearms breath test guidelines and sent for a second breath test with a result of 0.07.

Vasquez is due back in Crow Wing County District Court on Nov. 6.

TIM SPIER, staff writer, can be reached on Twitter.

@timmy2thyme

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