LA MIRADA — Deputies hunted down and arrested a suspected gang member who brandished a handgun at them before fleeing and breaking into a house to hide early Friday, authorities said.

Robert McAfee, 28, of unincorporated Whittier, was booked on suspicion of possession of a loaded firearm and burglary, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Bill Evans said.

Deputies responded about 7:15 a.m. to a report of a “suspicious person” in the area of Rosecrans Avenue and Figueras Road, the lieutenant said.

The callers suspicions turned out to be founded, Evans said, as deputies arrived to find the man clutching a semi-automatic handgun.

“He basically challenged deputies, saying, ‘what are you gonna do? What are you gonna do?,'” Evans said.

“The deputies didn’t have a clear shot. There were people in the background,” he added.

McAfee then put the gun in his pocket and ran, officials said.

Deputies searched the area and ultimately found McAfee hiding inside a Figueras Road house he had broken into, Evans said.