Police confirmed that a replica assault rifle found after a car chase and armed police response was actually a water gun. Three teenagers after armed officers and a police helicopter were deployed to Plympton, in Plymouth, following reports of a ‘gun’ being brandished from a car window travelling from Newton Abbot to Torquay.
Emergency services responded to the incident around 5pm on Monday, September 17. Devon and Cornwall Police discovered the replica assault rifle inside a stationary vehicle in Plympton during their search.
A force spokesperson has since confirmed that the replica weapon, which bore a striking resemblance to an assault rifle, is indeed a water gun. PlymouthLive has received a picture of the water pistol.
Three Plymouth men, all aged 19, were arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm with the intent to incite fear of violence. Two of them have been released on police bail, while no further action will be taken against the third.
In a statement issued today (September 18), Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Police were called at around 5pm following reports of a firearm being pointed out of the window of a car travelling from Newton Abbot towards Torquay.
“Armed officers and the NPAS helicopter were deployed and following a search the vehicle was located stationary in Plympton. Three 19-year-old males from Plymouth were detained and arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
“Two have been released on police bail and the third will be the subject of no further action. A search of the car uncovered a replica assault rifle.”