WATSONVILLE — 36-year-old Leo Contreras Rivera is in custody after holding his own wife hostage and threatening her with a gun.
The Watsonville Police were called to respond to a residence with regards to a previous report. A few days prior, according to the victim, Rivera forced her into a vehicle against her will, choked her, and pointed a gun to her head while threatening to kill her.
She told police that she initially didn’t report it out of fear of retribution by Rivera, who is also the father of her children. On Wednesday, just before 1 o’clock, the Watsonville Police located Rivera driving near the residence and were able to detain him without incident.
During a search of his vehicle, officers found a substantial amount of methamphetamine and ammunition along with a loaded firearm.
Rivera was booked for domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, brandishing a firearm, transporting a controlled substance for sale, and making criminal threats. His bail has been increased to $75,000.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Watsonville Police Department at 831-471-1151 or the investigation division at 831-768-3350.
