Man Arrested After Firing Gun Into Air In North County Neighborhood: Sheriff's Office

VISTA, CA — A man was arrested after firing a gun into the air in a North County neighborhood, authorities said.

The barrage of gunfire was reported shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday in the 800 block of Arcadia Avenue in Vista, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

"Upon arrival, deputies contacted witnesses who reported a silver Lexus sedan had driven through the intersection of Anza Avenue and Arcadia Avenue," Lt. Noah Zarnow said. "Witnesses stated an occupant in the vehicle fired a handgun into the air multiple times."

Deputies searched the area and found 14 shell casings near the street crossing, Zarnow said.

A sheriff's helicopter located the Lexus parked at an apartment complex in the 900 block of Arcadia Avenue. Personnel saw the driver, later identified as Sergio Abrego, 42, get out of the vehicle, drop a handgun and pick it up again, Zarnow said.

"He refused deputies' commands to stop and attempted to walk away," Zarnow said. "They were able to safely detain Abrego."

At the time of his arrest, Abrego had a machete and a handgun magazine loaded with 9mm rounds concealed in his pants, Zarnow said. Deputies also found a ghost gun with an extended magazine near where Abrego was detained and recovered two more shell casings from the driver's side floor of his vehicle.

Abrego booked into the Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of negligent discharge of a firearm and other weapons violations, Zarnow said.