A man who was a passenger in a vehicle and fired several shots in the air close to another car while driving on the I-4 near west Michigan Street on Saturday, has been arrested.
Orlando Police arrested Joseph W. Villalobos, 31, of Kissimmee and charged him on several counts: aggravated assault with a firearm, discharging a firearm in public and openly carrying a firearm.
Investigators received a call from Juan Carlos Ortiz Velez, 24, who said that as he drove on Colonial Drive and exited west bound on the I-4 near Michigan Street, a Blue Dodge Ram began honking at him and driving at a high rate of speed. The passenger in the Dodge, who was later identified as Villalobos, fired several shots into the air near Velez’ vehicle, he told cops.
Police were able to locate the Dodge Ram which was being followed by a second vehicle, both of which pulled into the 7-11 convenience store at 5284 south Orange Blossom Trail.
Upon exiting the vehicle, police made contact with Villalobos who stated voluntarily, “I have a gun”. The driver of the Doge, Jose Elias Lopez was also questioned.
Police recovered a Glock 23.40 cal semiautomatic handgun in Villalobos’ waistband.
OPD Tac Unit recovered one live round in the gun’s chamber, 7 rounds from the magazine, and 3 spent shells from the floor board of the Blue Dodge Ram.
Villalobos was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault with a firearm, discharging a firearm in public and openly carrying a firearm. He was booked into the Orange County Jail on $2,750 bond.
