PD: Middletown man paying taxes showed clerk toy gun

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MIDDLETOWN >> A city man paying his property taxes last week allegedly showed a toy gun to the clerk, and later told officers he didn’t know he had it with him.

On Sept. 25, Robert Baranowsky, 60, of 19 Forest St., was in the city hall tax office paying his property taxes when he placed a toy gun on the counter, according to police.

He allegedly said, “You’re going to think I’m crazy, but I have a kids’ toy gun on me to keep the kids entertained,” then pulled out the tan-and-black mock weapon from his back pocket and placed it between them.

Officers say he took out his wallet, completed the transaction, then put the toy back into his pocket and left.

The clerk said in a sworn statement to police that when she saw the toy gun, it made her nervous and scared, and when Baranowsky left, she began to cry.

Baranowsky had the toy, the report indicates, and told officers he found it earlier in the day while cleaning his car. He alleged said he didn’t realize it was in his pocket until he went to pay his bill.

He was charged with breach of peace, posted a $1,500 bond and was given a court date of Oct. 5.