BAYONNE — Peter D. Frakes, 22, of Andrews Street in Bayonne, was arrested after showing a silver starter pistol that strongly resembled a 9 mm handgun to a friend on Sept. 12.
While a starter pistol shoots bank cartridges, it looks so much like a real gun that it falls under laws that restrict the carrying of imitation weapons.
A police spokesperson said that a patrol unit had responded to the area of West 19th Street on a report of a domestic disturbance, when a witness said Frakes – dressed in a red t-shirt and blue jeans – had been showing off the weapons to another man in a dark hooked sweatshirt.
Acting on this tip, the police unit toured the area and discovered two men fitting the description near 20th Street and Avenue C. When arrested, Frakes allegedly gave a false name. The police said they learned his real identity from a photograph in their files and charged Frakes with hindering apprehension.