Close call involving toy guns
Charles E. Adams of 8772 Pageant Drive contacted police after he witnessed what he believed to be four men on the roof of a house under construction across the street. He shined a flashlight on the roof and the four men disappeared behind the house, according to the Benton County Sheriff's Office news release.
Sheriff deputies were dispatched to Adams' home around 7 p.m. for a possible burglary and while enroute were notified the four men were now on Adams' front porch pounding on his front door, said Deputy Doug Gay, public information officer.
Sgt. Diane Spain said when she arrived on scene with another officer she had her gun drawn on the suspects and immediately realized the four men were in fact four neighborhood boys ages 11 to 13, dressed in black and holding toy guns.
Adams then turned on the porch lights and exited his house telling officers "I know them, I know them, It's OK," Spain said.
One boy had his toy gun in his hand and waved it around while trying to communicate with the officers. The boys started to cry immediately and complied with officers order for them to get down on the ground, Spain said.
Spain said she was "a blink away" from pulling the trigger on the four if they hadn't followed orders. She said once she realized they were children she lowered her weapon.
The four boys were carrying several toy guns either in their hands or tucked away in their pants, so officers could only see the butt of the guns. Once the kids were on the ground the officers were able to see the orange tip on the toy gun a boy was waving whereas some of the toys were covered in black electrical tape, Spain said.
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