Man brandishes gun at shopping center, but it's a toy

Santa Rosa police arrested a 48-year-old man Thursday night after he allegedly pointed a fake handgun at customers in the Dutton Plaza near Dutton Avenue and Sebastopol Road.

Aurelio Ortiz-Chavez, a Santa Rosa transient, was taken to the Sonoma County jail where he was booked on suspicion of making terrorist threats, brandishing a replica firearm and public intoxication, said Sgt. Dave Linscomb.

Customers at the shopping center called police about 8 p.m. saying Ortiz-Chavez was pointing a gun at people. He was reported to have threatened to kill a customer who was with his three children, Linscomb said.

Officers found Ortiz-Chavez near a laundromat and took him into custody. A toy handgun made to resemble an actual firearm was found in his waistband, Linscomb said.

— Lori A. Carter