QUEENS — A 37-year-old man visiting from Baltimore sparked fears among Forest Hills residents after he started waving a gun while walking on Austin Street, authorities said.
The incident took place on Wednesday, June 22, around 2:30 a.m., police said.
Eyewitnesses told police that they saw the man walking on Austin Street, a major commercial strip in the neighborhood, waving a black firearm, according to the criminal complaint.
After receiving a 911 call, police officers started driving around the neighborhood looking for the suspect. Shortly after, they had spotted the man who fit the description at the intersection of Austin Street and 71st Avenue.
The suspect was arrested after officers found a .44-caliber black gun stuffed in his waistband. He also had three .45 caliber rounds in his pants pocket, according to court documents.
Outstanding police work! PO McLoughlin and PO Winston apprehended a perp with a firearm. #112Pct pic.twitter.com/JaIgoAmRk4
— NYPD 112th Precinct (@NYPD112Pct) June 22, 2016
The man, who was visiting from Baltimore, was staying with his fiancée in her apartment on 65th Avenue, near 108th Street, according to the complaint.
After police obtained a warrant to search the apartment, they also found an airsoft pistol, 13 .45-caliber cartridges, four boxes of .22-caliber long rifle cartridges and one box of 12-gauge shotgun shells hidden in the bedroom, court documents showed.
The man, who according to police had no prior arrests, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon.
