Niagara Falls Police responded to the 800 block of 17th Street on Sunday, April 14th around 1:30pm after reports of a suspicious person wearing a ski mask walking in the neighborhood.
As officers canvassed the area they located a male walking down the street walking with two other males. Upon driving closer, it was evident individuals kept looking back in their direction while the male wearing the ski mask was maintaining control of an unknown item in his front hoodie pocket.
The patrol car pulled up alongside the three males, his hand was still gripping the unknown item at the center of his body. Based on the size, weight and shape, law enforcement believed the item was a firearm. When the male wearing the ski mask made eye contact with officers he began to flee on foot. While attempting to evade officers, the male disposed of the weapon in a dumpster before being apprehended shortly afterward. Police seized the weapon – a black Smith and Weston handgun – and took the male into custody.
No further information is available at this time.