Photo: Scott William Sauer Jr.
BARSTOW – It may have sounded like backfire, but it wasn’t. When Johnny Cash sang, “Love is a burning thing and it makes a fiery ring,” did he have an incident like this in mind?
Barstow PD gave a quick response July 31st near sundown when shots rang out in the area of East Main Street and Muriel Drive.
First, an anonymous victim and her male friend paid a visit to the residence of her estranged husband, Scott William Sauer Jr. (30). They were there to collect her property. Sauer gave the female victim her property, and she and the male victim drove off.
Captain Andrew Espinoza Jr. described the turn of events. “As they left, Sauer began following the victims in his red Ford pickup truck. As the victim drove through various city streets, Sauer continued to follow close behind them.”
Suddenly, “When the victims turned onto Muriel Drive from Main Street, Sauer produced a handgun and began shooting at the victims and their vehicle. Sauer did not hit the victims or their vehicle with any of the rounds that he fired. ”
After the shooting, the victim headed to the Barstow Police Department to report the incident. In contrast, Sauer fled southbound on Muriel Drive.
Officer Michael Allen interviewed both victims. Officers responded to the reported scene of the shooting and found numerous 9mm fired cartridge casings in the road.
Barstow Police Detectives Nathaniel Arias and Tom Lewis launched an investifgation. Officers located Sauer in his red Ford pickup travelling in the area of First Avenue and Buena Vista Street.
Subsequently, a traffic stop on the vehicle resulted in Sauer’s arrest.
Then, with a search warrant issued for Sauer’s residence, Detectives seized a 9mm handgun.
As a result, detectives booked Sauer at the SBCSD Jail in Barstow for Penal Code 664/187- Attempted Murder.
Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation may contact Detective Nathaniel Arias at the Barstow Police Department (760) 255-5134. To remain anonymous call the WE-Tip hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or leave criminal activity information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
