One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Barstow Man Who Says He's 'Mad Max' Arrested After Deputy Finds Mad Max-Like Weapons
The real Max, as portrayed by Tom Hardy. (Courtesy of Warner Bros.)
A Barstow man who told a deputy he'd stylized himself as Mad Max was arrested Thursday for a weapons violation, reports ABC 7.
Jack Lee Ernest, 39, was driving a quad ATV (a pretty Mad Max thing to do, we should add) on Highway 58 when he was pulled over by a deputy at around 11 p.m. According to a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department release, Ernest "originally attempted to flee" and had "behaved so suspiciously" that he was detained.
During a pat down, it was discovered that Ernest had a cache of illegal weapons that you'd expect to see in a Mad Max movie. They included a sawed-off shotgun (with extra ammunition "tactically attached to it for easy access"), brass knuckles, and two large knives that were "positioned for tactical access."
And if there are any lingering doubts as to who Ernest's idol is, the sheriff's department said that he straight up told the deputy he'd fashioned himself as Mad Max. In the movie series, our protagonist does indeed carry a sawed-off shotgun with him.
Ernest was arrested for possession of illegal weapons and booked at a county jail on $30,000 bail. Anyone with information on the investigation is encouraged to speak with deputies at the Barstow Sheriff's Station at 760-256-4838.
LAist called the station to ask if Ernest had mentioned which Mad Max movie was his favorite (our bets were on The Road Warrior), but we were told that the arresting deputy was likely at home since he'd worked the night shift.
At any rate, we're sure that Ernest is excited for the possible sequels to Fury Road; director George Miller said earlier this year that two sequels may be in the works.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
