Altered BB rifle prompts police action

Chula Vista police on Saturday surrounded and arrested a man who was sleeping in his car next to a realistic-looking BB rifle while parked at a strip mall, authorities said.

Customers and employees were told to stay indoors as officers trained rifles on the car and moved a Bearcat armored vehicle in front of the man’s black Chrysler 300 sedan.

The 29-year-old man woke up and surrendered peacefully, police said.

Officers seized the Ar-15-style BB rifle, which had been altered by removing or repainting the orange tip that replica guns must have, police Lt. Rusty Rea said.

Also taken from the Chrysler: two sets of body armor, one labeled “U.S.,” walkie-talkies, red and blue lights for a car roof and a badge with the words “Universal Protection Officer” around the rim.

Rea said the man, who had a prior burglary conviction, was arrested on misdemeanor charges of impersonating a police officer, modifying a replica gun to look real, possessing methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of lock picks and a stun gun. He was not a licensed security guard, Rea said.

Lt. Fred Rowbotham told Onscenetv that a passer-by noticed the sleeping man with a rifle on the passenger seat and called police shortly before 9:30 a.m. Officers found the man as reported, parked in front of a smoke shop on Broadway near Palomar Street.

The man was still asleep as officers moved in with rifles aimed at the car windows and the Bearcat moved into place. Other officers kept store customers indoors and prevented people from coming into the parking lot.

When the man woke up, on his own, he obeyed orders to put his raised hands out of the car. News video showed him handcuffed and sitting quietly while officers searched the car.