By Gary Buiso
Sometimes a fake gun can appear entirely too realistic—even to the eyes of experienced police officers. Just ask Sergeant Joshua Foote, and Officers Mark Scarlatelli and Adnan Moshin, who last month nabbed two ‘gun’ wielding men who allegedly assaulted and robbed a Red Hook man. For their efforts, the trio walked away with “Cop of the Month” honors from the 76th Precinct Community Council last week. The cops were called into action on Jan. 23, when, according to Captain Michael Kemper, the commanding officer of the precinct, two men were seen beating up another man in Red Hook Park. The cops were on routine patrol when they spotted the scene. They gave chase, Kemper said, and managed to apprehend both suspects. During the arrest, Kemper said, one of the suspects allegedly “threw down” a black firearm, which appeared to be a Glock handgun. It turned out that the weapon was an air pistol, Kemper said. “It looked so real,” the commanding officer noted. “The cops didn’t know if it was real or fake.” Neither did the 30-year-old victim. On his way through the park, the victim, a pizza deliveryman, found himself face-to-face with the alleged assailants and the pistol. “They announced a robbery,” Kemper said, adding that the suspects allegedly took $60 and a cell phone from the victim. The suspects, both Red Hook residents, have been indicted on robbery, menacing, criminal possession of a weapon, and assault charges, Kemper said.
