3 arrested for shooting gun out of pickup truck
BUFFALO TWP — Three out-of-state men were arrested after police say a handgun was fired twice from a pickup truck they were riding in early Sunday morning on Route 356.
No one was reported injured and it was not immediately known if either round fired hit any building, police said.
Charged in the case are Felix Reyes-Balderas, 31, of Carlsbad, N.M.; David Castro Estrada, 27, of Grand Junction, Colo.; and Juan A. Rodriguez Carbajal, 24, of Parachute, Colo.
All three suspects were arraigned on felony charges of aggravated assault and carrying a firearm without a permit, and misdemeanor charges of discharging a firearm from a vehicle, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct.
They are in the Butler County Prison on $50,000 bail each.
Officer Daniel Ambrose was on patrol about 2:30 a.m. when he saw a northbound pickup swerving on Route 356 near the True Value. Moments later, police said, Ambrose heard a gunshot that sounded like it came from the area of the truck.
Ambrose got behind the truck. In the 300 block of Route 356, he heard a second shot. This time, he saw the blast come from the pickup's passenger side.
While continuing to follow the truck, Ambrose noticed a what appeared to be a black handgun “hanging out of the top of the ear passenger side window,” according to a police affidavit.
Ambrose stopped the truck in the 100 block of Route 356. Township police officer Scott Hess assisted in the stop.
All three occupants were handcuffed.
The officers looked into the truck and saw a loaded magazine clip and a loose bullet on back passenger seat. In the bed of the truck behind the back passenger seat was a .45-caliber pistol, which was loaded.
Investigators said they believe the men were in Pennsylvania working unknown jobs. They have been staying in Butler.
