Mansuetti

BAKER CITY — A Baker City police is accused of pointing a gun at a couple and then recklessly driving away from what police described as a “road rage” incident Monday, July 12, in Baker City.

Caleb James Mansuetti, 19, of 315 Highway 7, was arrested on multiple charges, including unlawful use of a weapon, a Class C felony, and misdemeanor charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, five counts of menacing and one of reckless driving.

Mansuetti remains in the Baker County Jail.

Mansuetti is charged with five counts of menacing because there were five people in the other car: Jordan Hynek, his wife, Angelina Gomez, and their three children, according to a police report.

Baker City Police Sgt. Wayne Chastain said Mansuetti was driving a 2001 Ford Mustang when he tailgated the vehicle Hynek was driving, with Gomez and their children as passengers.

Hynek told police he stopped at a stop sign and waited for Mansuetti to drive past, Chastain said.

Mansuetti did, but then drove back and pointed the pistol at Hynek and Gomez, according to a police report, who was standing beside their car while their children were inside.

Mansuetti then drove away at high speed, according to the report.

Gomez called 911, Chastain said.

While en route, Baker City police officers and Baker County Sheriff’s Office deputies were given a description of Mansuetti’s vehicle, the driver and his two passengers.

Chastain said Mansuetti coincidentally drove past a deputy, who stopped the Mustang on 17th Street near Settler’s Park.

Mansuetti was the driver. Police found the pistol inside the Mustang.

Chastain said the pistol’s magazine was loaded, but there was not a round in its chamber when he checked the gun.

Police released Mansuetti’s two passengers, a girl and 19-year-old male.

Chastain said the investigation is ongoing and other charges could be filed.

According to a police report, “Caleb previously signed a release agreement in Baker County Circuit Court where he agreed not to possess any firearm per an adult case. Caleb does not possess a valid concealed weapon permit.”

That previous case dates to Nov. 17, 2020, when Mansuetti was arrested in Baker City on charges of menacing, reckless endangering and reckless driving.

According to a police report, Mansuetti drove through an intersection and nearly struck a pedestrian.

Another driver, who said he tried to get Mansuetti’s attention, told police he followed Mansuetti’s car, which eventually stopped.

The other driver, who was with his wife, told police Mansuetti first walked toward him “in a threatening manner,” then walked back to his own car before taking out an AR-15-style rifle from his trunk and pointed it at the other driver.

Police found an air rifle that fires plastic projectiles at low velocities in the trunk of Mansuetti’s car. He denied pointing the gun at the other driver, according to the police report.

The charges are pending from the November 2020 incident.

Other charges against Mansuetti from Monday’s incident are:

• Second-degree disorderly conduct.

• Reckless endangering.

• Endangering the welfare of a minor.

• Violation of release agreement.