KENOZA LAKE, NY — A Town of Delaware man was arrested on Thursday, February 16 after he allegedly pointed a pistol at his neighbors and a building inspector.

The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a man with a gun in the vicinity of 30 Miller Road in Kenoza Lake at approximately 3:15 p.m. The suspect, Christopher Joeal Velez, age 31, had exited a residence at the location dressed in black clothes and brandished the weapon. Sheriff’s deputies and New York State Troopers responded to the scene, but the suspect fled just prior to their arrival.  A short time later, a trooper stopped a vehicle occupied by a suspect fitting the description in Jeffersonville.

Velez was taken into custody and the weapon was recovered. The firearm, which resembled a Sig Sauer MPX machine gun, was in fact a BB gun. The suspect was charged with the misdemeanor of Menacing in the 2^nd degree. He was issued an appearance ticket and released pending a future court date.

“This incident could have ended very tragically”, said Sheriff Mike Schiff. “The responding law enforcement officers showed amazing professionalism and restraint."