A black lighter mistaken for a handgun prompted a quick police response in a Nelson liquor store parking lot earlier this month.
The Nelson Police Department was called around 6:44 p.m. Aug. 7 after a report of a man pointing what appeared to be a handgun at another person.
Several officers attended the area and located a man matching the description provided by the caller.
During the investigation, the man told officers the object he had been displaying was a lighter. Police later found a small black lighter in the man’s waistband, which they said could reasonably be mistaken for a real firearm.
Officers searched the surrounding area but were unable to locate the other person involved.
The department is reminding the public that reports involving what appears to be a firearm will be treated seriously until officers can determine the object is not a real weapon.
Nelson police also seized suspected fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine during a separate incident on Aug. 4.
In its weekly report, the department said officers were conducting patrols near Anderson Street around 9:39 p.m. when they saw two people behind a local business near dumpsters, with smoke coming from the area.
An officer approached the individuals and saw a man with what looked like a fentanyl pipe and a torch lighter.
The man was arrested about two minutes later for possession of a controlled substance and searched as part of the arrest.
During the search, police located multiple pipes believed to be used for consuming fentanyl and crack cocaine. Officers also located small baggies containing suspected fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine.
The suspected drugs and related items were seized under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
The matter remains under investigation.
Want to get your business noticed? Have you considered advertising through your local radio station? Speak to one of our sales agents and find out how radio advertising can boost your business today. Call 250-365-7600 or email Vista Radio.
