Pellet Gun Mistaken for Handgun, Juvenile Cuffed Then Released

After handcuffing a young male who appeared to be breaking into a house with a handgun Monday, police released the juvenile when they discovered he had a pellet gun.

At 4 p.m., Norton Police Department received a call from a resident who observed what she described as a male jumping over a fence holding a gun.  The caller remained on the telephone with dispatchers while officers responded to the area. 

The caller described the male and further stated that he appeared to be attempting to gain access to a rear door of a residence on Edward Street, but then repeatedly returned to the wooded area behind the house, while hiding behind a tree. The caller then described the male as pointing the gun toward a house.

 Officers arrived on scene and located the male subject. Officers observed the male holding what appeared to be a black handgun. Officers approached the male, placing him in handcuffs. Officers then discovered the male was a 15 year old juvenile who was holding a black pellet gun. He was on his own property at the time. Officers subsequently released the male and discussed the incident with him and his parents. No charges were filed in the incident.

"The Norton Police Department acknowledges that the officers reacted appropriately and the response was adequate," said Lieutenant Todd Jackson in a press release. "The fact that a recent housebreak occurred in this area, along with the alarm of the neighbor who called police, justified the response by police as serious in nature."