Paintball Gun in Tavern Leads to Weapon Charge

WILDWOOD – Police have charged a Wildwood man with unlawful possession of a weapon after an altercation in a local bar.
On March 8, at approximately 12:41 p.m., Wildwood Police Department officers responded to the Firehouse Tavern, at 3116 Park Boulevard, for an altercation involving a man allegedly in possession of a firearm inside the bar.
When officers arrived, they identified Martin Perez, 24, of Wildwood, as the suspect. During the investigation, a witness came forward and told police he disarmed Perez after they engaged in a verbal dispute.
The weapon, identified as a black replica handgun, was safely turned over to the police and submitted as evidence. Police identified the gun as a T4E TPM1 .43 caliber training pistol, also known as a paintball handgun.
Perez was taken into custody without further incident and transported back to police headquarters. As a result of this investigation, Perez was charged with fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and released on a summons complaint in accordance with the Attorney General Guidelines Criminal Justice Bail Reform Policies and Directives.