Man arrested in Salinas after making threats of suicide by cop

A 30-year-old man was arrested in Salinas Wednesday after he reportedly made threats about intending to commit suicide by cop.

A cab driver called police to report that a man had walked up to him as he was parked in the lot of Foods Co., holding a gun and asking him to call the cops. The driver told officers he felt threatened and worried he’d be shot if he didn’t comply.

The suspect, identified as Elpidio Pacheco, got into the front seat of the cab, holding the pistol in his lap.

When police arrived, Pacheco dropped the gun on the floor, placed his hands in the air and complied with officers’ instructions. He was taken into custody and the gun was determined to be fake.

Police said Pacheco told them he was despondent and had intended to commit suicide by cop, describing his intent to point the weapon at responding officers.

He told police that when they arrived, he changed his mind.

Pacheco was booked into Monterey County Jail on suspicion of making threats and being drunk in public, in addition to a felony drug warrant out of Santa Clara County.