Man Arrested After Chasing People With Gun In North County: Sheriff's Department

VISTA, CA — A man is facing firearms related-charges after threatening people with a gun in northern San Diego County, authorities said.

Deputies responded to 911 calls about a man chasing people with a gun around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 2000 block of Primrose Avenue in the unincorporated area of Vista, according to San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

"The man left the scene in a pickup truck, but returned riding an off-road motorcycle," Lt. George Crysler said. "Witnesses say he confronted four people and threatened them with the gun before riding away from the area."

Deputies talked with the four victims, who provided a description of the suspect and the direction he fled.

"Contrary to social media posts, witnesses confirmed to deputies no shots were fired at any time and no one was hurt," Crysler said.

With the information provided by witnesses, deputies searched the surrounding neighborhood and found the suspect's house, Crysler said. During a search of the home, deputies found a stash of weapons including rifles, shotguns and handguns, as well as hundreds of rounds of ammunition and tactical vests.

"Two of the firearms seized were privately manufactured or commonly referred to as ghost guns," he said. "Unlike legal, commercially manufactured firearms, ghost guns are not marked with serial numbers. There is no way to track their origins or their owners, making it difficult for law enforcement to investigate or solve a crime."

Christopher Loftis, 45, was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, possessing an assault weapon, and owning or possessing a gun without a serial number.

The case remains under investigation.