Driver arrested for allegedly yelling racial slurs, throwing items at vehicles in Pacific Grove
PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (KION) An Avila Beach man was arrested in Pacific Grove Wednesday for allegedly making threats, yelling racial slurs and throwing items at vehicles.
Police said they responded to a call at around noon about a man driving erratically while making threats, yelling racial slurs and waving a bat at other drivers in the 300 block of Lighthouse Avenue. Shortly after the first call, another came in from the same area. The person said a driver was yelling racial slurs and threw an aluminum baseball bat at another vehicle. The department said it received more calls after that, and one person said the driver threw a beer can at a vehicle and threatened people with a shovel.
One witness who wished to remain anonymous described a confrontation between Ensor and an African American man who was walking by.
"“ He said ‘we are white, it’s our country’ and he tried to attack the other guy, the black guy."
Witnesses gave police a partial license plate for the silver Chrysler Pacifica Van, and officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop on Lighthouse Avenue near 19th Street when they found it.
Police said they drew less lethal options and guns, but did not use them. They said the driver did not want to follow instructions, but eventually complied and was arrested. Officers said several witnesses were able to positively identify the suspect, identified as 48-year-old John Ensor.
Ensor is charged with driving under the influence, hate crimes of race or ethnicity, exhibiting a deadly weapon other than a gun in a threatening way, open container and for being a person on bail using a deadly weapon in commission of a crime. He is booked into the Monterey County Jail.
“Pacific Grove Police Department does not tolerate hate crimes and takes these incidents extremely seriously," said Chief Cathy Madalone.
A dog was in the suspect's vehicle, and police said it was taken by an Animal Control Officer and is being kept safe.
Anyone with information is asked to call Pacific Grove police at 831-648-3143.
