WEBSTER, MA — Two men were arrested following a motor vehicle accident and subsequent confrontation involving a replica handgun on Negus Street.
Webster Police officers responded to the 40 block of Negus Street at approximately 7:06 p.m. on April 8 for a report of a motor vehicle accident involving a mini-van and a motorized bike.
Numerous callers reported the individual on the bike was on the ground and injured.
Officers arrived and began investigating the incident as Webster EMS treated the victim on the bicycle.
Officers identified the driver of the mini-van as Joseph Miller, 71, of Webster.
Miller showed signs he was under the influence of alcohol and refused to participate in standardized field sobriety tests, according to police.
Miller was placed under arrest.
While continuing their investigation, officers spoke with another witness who reported a man had pulled a black handgun on him at the accident scene.
The victim stated he was assisting the man who had been struck by the car when a pickup truck came speeding down Negus Street toward the accident.
The victim waved his hands at the driver of the pickup truck to get him to slow down.
The driver stopped and engaged in a verbal argument before retrieving a black handgun from inside his vehicle, according to police.
The man then got back into his truck and fled the area.
The victim provided a license plate to officers, who learned the vehicle was registered to Robert Lewis, 57, of Webster.
Lewis was confirmed to have been the suspect who displayed the handgun.
Webster Police detectives applied for and were granted an emergency arrest warrant and a search warrant for Lewis’s residence.
Due to the threat of a handgun being displayed, the Central Mass Law Enforcement Council SWAT Team was requested to respond.
At approximately 2:02 a.m., Lewis was taken into custody at his residence without incident.
A search revealed two black BB handguns, one of which was a Glock 17 replica pistol.
Miller was charged with operating under the influence of liquor and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
Lewis was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.
