An 83-year-old man who is alleged to have been armed with a gun when he walked into a pharmacy in Wootton yesterday (Friday) has been detained, Police have confirmed.
It was at 16:24 that Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary received reports of an elderly male in possession of a gun at Day Lewis Pharmacy in Wootton.
This prompted an emergency response to the area, with additional specialist Armed Response Officers being drafted in from the mainland, as first reported by Island Echo.
The suspect had left the store on High Street by the time Armed Police arrived on scene, so a search of the local area was launched. This included a convoy of vehicles descending on the suspect’s home address on nearby Station Road, but he was no where to be seen.
2 armed officers remained outside the pensioner’s property for several hours in case he returned, whilst others headed off to Newport.
It was just gone 20:15 that the elderly male was located on Fairlee Road, near the entrance to Seaclose Park. He was swiftly detained by fully-clad Armed Police, placed in cuffs and taken into custody at Newport Police Station.
It has been confirmed that an 83-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
UPDATE SUNDAY – The 83-year-old man has been bailed until 11th July, as investigations continue.
When your pharmacy wait time feels like a standoff, but you bring actual firepower.
[…] 83-YEAR-OLD ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGED GUN INCIDENT AT WOOTTON PHARMACY […]
The youth of today….
Sounds like this guy has an issue with his mental health. He needs help and maybe a secure place to live too!
If the chemist is anything like Jhoots in Sandown, it would be so frustrating for anyone trying to get their prescription, either not ready when promised, not received from doctor but not chased by chemists, or an endless variety of excuses.