A man was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly brandished an altered replica firearm in Watsonville.
Eduardo Lopez, 32, was cited and released.
Witnesses called police after they saw a man waving an assault rifle in the air near East Lake Avenue at Blackburn Street just after 3pm.
Police confiscated the fake gun, which had the distinctive orange tip indicating it is not a real firearm removed.
“This call serves as an important reminder that altering replica firearms can create a serious and potentially dangerous misunderstanding,” WPD stated in a social media post. “We are proud of the professionalism our officers demonstrate every day. Their ability to rapidly evaluate situations like this, while prioritizing safety, helps prevent escalation and keeps our community safe.”
