Crime & Safety

'Misunderstanding' Leads Cops To Arrest Man with Air Rifle at School

The man was driving around looking for his daughter at Westhampton school, police say.

A man searching for his daughter caused a stir at the Westhampton Beach Middle and High Schools on Monday.

At around 4:30 p.m., Westhampton Beach police responded to a call reporting that a man with a gun had been doing circles in his truck around the schools looking at kids for about 30 minutes.

Police said they were quickly able to locate the driver, a 39-year-old East Quogue man who was driving a silver pickup truck. Police said they soon learned that he was simply searching for his daughter.

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He did, though, have an air rifle in his backseat and was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon on school grounds, a violation.

“It was all a misunderstanding,” Lieutenant Trevor Gonce said.

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In addition, he was cited for having a suspended license in the second degree, a misdemeanor. Police said his license was suspended due to an alcohol-related offense.



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