December 26, 2012

Loaded gun found in LL Bean bathroom

The police chief said they're lucky a child had not come upon the gun, which had a bullet in the chamber.

The Associated Press

ELLSWORTH — Police in Maine have found the owner of a loaded 9mm handgun that was discovered inside a bathroom at an L.L. Bean outlet store.

Police Chief John DeLeo says 72-year-old Benjamin Newman, a longtime local doctor, heard police were looking for the owner of the gun and notified authorities Wednesday afternoon that it was his, according to WABI TV.

They have charged Newman with reckless conduct, the TV station reported.

DeLeo said the gun had a bullet in the chamber when an employee found it late Wednesday morning in the Ellsworth outlet.

He said the employee called police, avoiding a potentially dangerous situation, especially if a child had come upon the loaded gun.

DeLeo says the gun will not be returned to Newman until he at least appears in court, according to WABI TV. Newman's website says he's been practicing in the area since 1978.

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