Harwich Man, 70, Arrested After Pointing Gun at Landscapers Over Leaf Blower Noise, Cops Say
WEST HARWICH, MASSACHUSETTS — A 70-year-old Harwich resident was arrested Monday afternoon after allegedly confronting landscapers with a firearm over the noise from their leaf blowers, Harwich police said.
Sgt. Brendan Brickley and Officer Tom Griffiths were dispatched to a home on Burton Avenue around 3:45 p.m. after the homeowner reported that an unidentified man had twice approached her landscaping crew. First he ordered them to stop blowing leaves. Minutes later he returned holding a gun, pointed it at one of the workers, and screamed at them to shut off the equipment, according to the Harwich police press release.
The confrontation happened about 20 minutes before the 911 call. Officers obtained a description from the victim and immediately began canvassing the neighborhood. Within a short time they located a man matching the description at a nearby home on Division Street.
Further investigation confirmed the suspect’s identity and involvement. He was taken into custody without incident, and a firearm was seized from the residence.
The man was identified as John Mooradian, 70, of Harwich. He was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Orleans District Court on three charges: assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm without a license, and possession of ammunition without a license.
[Note: Mooradian’s booking photo was not contained in the HPD press release. Also, all suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.]
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