Police find BB shot gun resembles real AR-15 rifle

Newton - The police department came into possession of a toy BB rifle in connection with an investigation into a report from a motorist that his vehicle had been shot while driving on West End Avenue.  The witness reported he saw three youths lying in a prone position near some bushes prior to hearing what sounded like a projectile hitting his car, and then turned to see them running into a backyard area. In the ensuing investigation, police recovered and retained possession of a spring-loaded toy BB Rifle that is capable of firing a small plastic BB.  The investigation did culminate in the filing of a juvenile complaint against a 12-year old Newton youth for Interference with Transportation, if which committed by an adult, would constitute a disorderly persons offense.  The youth was released to his parents pending ajudicating in Family Court. The rifle recovered by police bears a striking resemblance to the actual AR-15 type rifle carried by the department. The toy rifle was equipped with a working laser sight and lights for low light use, similar to the real rifles used by the police.  During the course of the investigation the youth disclosed that his parents did not know that he had purchased the rifle replica at a flea market and hid the toy from his parents.  The department recognizes that these types of toys are sold freely in major retail stores and some sport shops but urge all parents and guardians to be aware of the similarities between these toys designed for play and those designed for actual damage . Play should be restricted to indoors or areas where the public would not mistake the toy for the real thing and assume the worst.    Particularly at night these toys should not be part of neighborhood games or used as it was in this case, advised police.