Man charged with criminal possession of weapon, menacing
NORTH GREENBUSH — A 26-year-old from North Greenbush was arrested early Friday morning for allegedly threatening another man with a blank handgun at a pizza shop, North Greenbush police said.
The arrest came after a investigation into an incident at about 6:15 p.m. Thursday in the parking lot at Concetta’s Pizza House in Wyantskill, police said. Witnesses said a man was yelling at another man, then pulled out a handgun from his backpack that he used to threaten the man, police said. The man with the hand gun fled before police arrived.
Police said they quickly identified the suspect and he was taken into custody at about 2:50 a.m. on Koon Street, police said.
A search of the suspect’s home led to the discovery of the gun used in the incident, police said. It was found to be a blank gun with blank cartridges in it. Possession of such a gun is prohibited by law for those with prior criminal convictions, which the suspect has, police said.
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Chief David M. Keevern said the weapon is indistinguishable from one that is capable of firing bullets. “The biggest concern was the possibility of a threat of public safety so identifying it quickly was paramount,” he said.
The suspect was charged with felony criminal possession of a weapon and misdemeanor menacing. He was arraigned at North Greenbush Town Court and released.
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