Cumberland police are investigating a predawn incident in which a homeowner fired a handgun several times at a pickup truck carrying two men who may have been stealing items from cars in the neighborhood.

The gun, a .25-caliber semiautomatic pistol, is being held by police.

The truck, described as a white or silver small- to mid-sized pickup with oversized tires and possibly a black stripe down the side, has not been found.

Police Chief Joseph Charron declined to identify the homeowner Monday. A call reporting fireworks or gunfire came in around 3:50 a.m. Saturday, Charron said.

When police arrived on Oak Ridge Road, they found the homeowner and a single shell casing, although the homeowner said he may have fired as many as five shots, Charron said.

“The entire thing is under investigation,” he said, “both the persons involved in stealing things from motor vehicles as well as the discharging of the firearm.”

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Charron said officers have taken several reports of items being stolen from vehicles in the Cumberland Center area.

According to the homeowner’s report, he was awakened by the sound of someone opening and closing doors in his driveway. Looking out a window, he saw someone standing near one of his vehicles. He also saw a pickup truck parked at the side of the road with either brake lights or parking lights, but no headlights on.

“He alerted his wife, told her what was going on and told her to call 911,” Charron said. “However, she never did call 911.”

After arming himself with the handgun, the homeowner went downstairs and discovered the driveway deserted. He looked up the street and saw what appeared to be the same pickup parked on the opposite side of the road and facing him, apparently having gone around the Oak Ridge Road cul de sac.

“So the homeowner is walking up now toward the vehicle, still seeing the same kind of glow of the tail lights,” Charron said. “As he got close to the vehicle, he saw a person run from a residence driveway area and enter the passenger side of that vehicle. He yelled that he was armed and to freeze and stay there. I don’t know whether he said the police were coming or what he might have said other than that.”

The driver disregarded the warning, put the truck in gear and, “according to the homeowner, drove at a high rate of speed toward him,” Charron said.

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The homeowner reported firing at the pickup, hitting it a couple of times in the grille or windshield area, Charron said, before the driver swerved to avoid the homeowner and left the neighborhood.

“We are looking for anybody with information on anyone involved in this type of activity,” Charron said, “operating a white- or silver-colored pickup, which now may have several holes in it.”

Anyone with relevant information is asked to call Cumberland police at 829-6391.

Charron advised against confronting apparent burglars.

“My recommendation to folks would be to report what you observe to 911 and get the police involved,” he said.

Once both investigations are complete, they will be sent to the District Attorney’s Office for possible action, Charron said.

 

Staff Writer Glenn Jordan can be contacted at 791-6425 or at: gjordan@pressherald.com

 


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