Costa Mesa : Armed Father Accused of Using Child as Shield

A 40-year-old Costa Mesa man was arrested Monday after an incident in which officials said he aimed a shotgun at a police officer and used one of his children as a shield.

Henry Ales of 2559 Santa Ana Ave. was being held on suspicion of assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon and child endangerment. Bail was set at $25,000.

According to Lt. Gary Webster, Ales called police Monday morning and said “he had a gun and was going to shoot it.” When officers arrived at his apartment, they said they found Ales unarmed. But, Webster said, an argument ensued, and Ales picked up a shotgun that was in the driveway and brandished it at one of the officers, while holding one of his children in front of him.

Police ordered Ales to drop the gun, and eventually he complied and was arrested, Webster said. His two children--boys, ages 4 and 6--were reported to be in protective custody, officials said.

After Ales was arrested, police said they found evidence that the shotgun had been fired possibly six times inside the apartment, but no one was injured.