Watsonville Man Arrested For Alleged Attack, Death Threats

WATSONVILLE (CBS SF) -- A 36-year-old man who allegedly attacked and threatened to kill the mother of his children was arrested early Wednesday morning in Watsonville, police said.

Leo Rivera was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, brandishing a firearm, transporting a controlled substance for sale and making criminal threats, police Cpl. Rudy Lopez said.

At about 10:10 p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to a report of a domestic violence incident that happened days earlier, Lopez said.

The female victim said Rivera was the father of her children and forced her into a car, according to Lopez.

Lopez allegedly choked her and aimed a firearm to her head as he made death threats against her, Lopez said.

She delayed notifying police because she was scared Rivera would retaliate, according to Lopez.

Shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday, officers found Rivera driving by the victim's home and conducted a high-risk traffic stop on him, the corporal said.

Rivera was taken into custody without incident, Lopez said.

A search of the vehicle uncovered a loaded firearm in addition to a considerable amount of methamphetamine and ammunition, Lopez said.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call police at (831) 471-1151 or the department's investigations division at (831) 768-3350.

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