(PUEBLO, Colo.) — The Pueblo Police Department (PPD) said officers have arrested a man on alleged child abuse who has an extensive criminal history. According to PPD, on Saturday, Nov. 23 at around 2:45 p.m., officers were called to a convenience store in the 1200 block of Spruce Street near West Mesa Avenue about a report of possible child abuse. When police arrived they found the individuals described in the call at the front of the store. A male suspect later identified as 54-year-old Robert Ballage ran from police on a bicycle. Police were able to find Ballage in the 1300 block of Spruce St. Ballage allegedly had a stolen firearm with him at the time of his arrest. Ballage told police he bought the gun about two weeks before, that he was on parole, and knew he was not supposed to have a weapon, according to PPD. PPD said Ballage had been arrested 13 times in the City of Pueblo and his criminal history includes six Felony convictions. At the time of Ballage's arrest, he was on parole after being sentenced to four years and 15 months in May of 2021 for Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender, Vehicular Eluding, and Impersonation from the weapon being defaced. Ballage was released in June of 2024. “This is a prime example of a previous offender knowingly continuing to re-offend when released back into our community,” stated Pueblo Police Chief Chris Noeller. “I am incredibly proud of the officers of the Pueblo Police Department for remaining steadfast in their efforts to address the crime in our city and for taking this suspect into custody and hopefully sending him back to jail for his crimes once again.” Ballage was booked into the Pueblo Justice Center for the charge of Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender and has a $10,000 bond.