Kids say man threatened them with handgun while they rode a four-wheeler
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RIRIE — Deputies arrested a Bonneville County man who allegedly pulled a gun and shot it into the ground as three kids rode a four-wheeler.
The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office arrived Sunday evening at a property near 115th East and Swan Valley Highway after a mom said her 16, 15 and 10-year-olds riding a four-wheeler were allegedly threatened by 51-year-old Frank E. Cloud. According to an affidavit of probable cause obtained by EastIdahoNews.com, Cloud started following them in his pickup truck, pulled a gun on the kids and fired it into the ground in front of them.
Cloud was arrested and is now charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The children said they were riding the four-wheeler at a farm and using an access road through Cloud’s property. Cloud told deputies it upset him that they were speeding up and down the road and not wearing helmets. Although Cloud said he did drive his pickup while following the children to their house, he denied ever pulling a gun.
They told a different story, though, saying that as they rode back to their house, Cloud followed them in his pickup.
Cloud yelled expletives at them while telling them not to ride on his property again, they said. Cloud then allegedly pulled a handgun from his pocket and fired it into the ground. As the children were going back to their home, Cloud kept yelling at them to not trespass.
Investigators said Cloud’s recollection of events was all over the place and had inconsistencies. In the backyard, deputies also spotted what looked like tire tracks in the lawn and a broken pipe for the sprinkler system, presumably from where his pickup had hit it, which supported the witnesses’ version of events.
Deputies arrested Cloud and booked him into the Bonneville County Jail.
Although Cloud is accused of a crime, it does not necessarily mean he committed it. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
A preliminary hearing for Cloud is scheduled for July 21.
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