By Kristina Dufresne
Paris, Tenn.–A man dressed in black with a pumpkin mask on was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by Paris Police Friday night.
Duke Ward, age 20, of 6210 Hwy. 140N, Cottage Grove, was taken to the Henry County Jail.
Paris Police were called to the alley between McCampbell and Williams Streets on a report of the suspicious male dressed in black with a pumpkin mask. The caller reported the man had parked his car near a driveway with his car still running, driver’s door open and his license plate covered up.
Upon arrival in the alley, Sgt. Eric Long observed the vehicle parked and the man standing at the southwest end of Williams St. As Sgt. Long exited the vehicle and started towards the man, the man quickly turned away and then turned back facing the officer.
In addition to the black clothes and pumpkin mask, the suspect also was wearing blue latex gloves on his hands.
The suspect was ordered to show his hands and face. Prior to doing so, he dropped a gray shirt on the ground. After taking off the mask, Sgt. Long was able to identify the man as Duke Ward.
Ward was asked why he was there and why he had a mask on. He said he was there to see a girl and didn’t want anyone to see his face.
After the other police units had arrived, Sgt. Long walked back to the area where Ward was spotted. Between a house and a disabled vehicle, he found a black and gray hand gun laying near the driver’s side front tire of the vehicle.
In other Paris Police reports:
On Sunday, Paris Officer Ashley Neumair responded to the Dollar General on West Wood St. in reference to a shoplifting. The manager advised he had a shoplifter on camera. The video revealed two unknown black males enter the store. Suspect #1 was a black male, 5’7” to 5’8” in height and approximately 280-300 lbs. Suspect #2 was a light skinned black male around 6’-6’1” in height and approximately 250lbs.
It was observed that suspect #1 approached the front counter with a basket of groceries and had asked the clerk if she would give him a pass to buy cigarettes without providing identification. When the clerk responded with “no”, he then walked to the other side of the counter, and placed the basket on the floor.
After a few moments had passed, suspect #1 picked up the basket and walked out of the store without paying for the items.