Officers from the Arizona Public Safety Division reacted to the tip and traveled to Puerto Penasco. With the help of the Mexican government, officers located Barber in his vehicle on July 6, 2000. He was questioned and arrested without incident. Officers said Barber was using the alias of John Robert Justice. He was transported from Mexico to Ajo, Arizona where he was fingerprinted and positively identified as the wanted fugitive, Robert Elmer Barber.
Barber awaits extradition back to California.
Barber was profiled on AMW on July 1, 2000. Police say Barber has a long record of child molestation starting with his first conviction in 1967. His current warrant was for Lewd and Lascivious Acts on a Child Under Age 14, Oral Copulation, Engaging in Three or more Acts of Substantial Sexual Conduct with a Child Under Age 14, Distribution of Harmful Matter to Minors and Convicts Prohibited from Possessing Firearms. Detectives in Shasta County said Barber was wanted for sexually abusing a young boy for eight years. According to the victim, he feared Barber because he always carried a loaded .45 caliber pistol.