A Methodist Road man is facing a charge of having a loaded weapon in a vehicle after firing at least one shot into the Presumpscot River on April 27.
Jason Rankin, 26, also received a summons for leaving the scene of a property damage accident after allegedly being involved in a hit-and-run accident shortly before he allegedly discharged his newly purchased handgun into the river.
Police responded to a report of a hit-and-run accident on Bridge Street where Rankin had left the scene and then pulled into the Bank of America parking lot, according to Police Chief Paul McCarthy, who was traveling west on Main Street in an unmarked police car at the time of the call.
It was reported that Rankin entered the Bank of America and was acting suspiciously, then left and ran to his car and traveled towards Ash Street through the parking lot, according to McCarthy.
McCarthy said Officer Inger Cyr responded to the Bridge Street accident and followed Rankin to the area of Ash Street behind the bank. As Cyr approached the scene, she reported hearing a shot fired and requested assistance.
McCarthy approached the scene and aided Cyr in the arrest of Rankin, who told the officers he had “just purchased the weapon and was trying it out” and that he had “fired it into the water.”
Cyr and McCarthy found the weapon on the seat of the car and five empty shell casings in the car. Following the arrest, police requested the District Attorney’s office charge Rankin with reckless conduct with a firearm and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.
McCarthy said the District Attorney’s office has dropped the reckless conduct charge and is seeking charges against Rankin for having a loaded weapon in a vehicle.
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