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WATERVILLE

Police: Felon with gun arrested outside club

By Susan M. Cover scover@mainetoday.com
MaineToday Media State House Writer

WATERVILLE -- Police late Wednesday arrested a Freeport man who had a loaded handgun in the Champions Fitness Center parking lot.

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John Wood

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WEAPON: Police said this .40 caliber Kel-Tec pistol and ammunition were confiscated from John Wood in Waterville at Champions on Wednesday night.

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John Wood, 28, of 32 Grant Road, Freeport, was prohibited from carrying a gun because he is a convicted felon, according to Deputy police Chief Charles Rumsey.

Wood was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and carrying a concealed weapon; he also was placed on a probation hold, Rumsey said Thursday.

At the time of his arrest, he was on probation for aggravated trafficking in drugs, Rumsey said.

A police officer at about 11:20 p.m. Wednesday saw Wood drinking from a can of beer outside Champions, which is located at Elm Plaza off Upper Main Street, according to Rumsey.

Officer Brian Gardiner spoke with Wood and two other people Wood was standing with and warned Wood for drinking in public, Rumsey said.

Police dispatchers learned Wood was on probation, Rumsey said.

Gardiner and Officer Tristan Russell then went to speak to Wood about his probation status, he said.

"When they went over to make contact with him (Wood), Officer Gardiner observed that Wood was nervous -- that he appeared to be getting ready to flee -- so Officer Gardiner approached him and asked him if he had any weapons on him," Rumsey said.

"Wood at the time disclosed he was armed with a pistol. He was secured with handcuffs and the officers seized a loaded, 40-caliber Kel-Tec semiautomatic pistol from him."

Rumsey said dispatchers also determined Wood was a convicted felon, which makes it a criminal offense for him to be in possession of a firearm.

Gutfinski was contacted and placed Wood on a probation hold. He was taken to Kennebec County Jail in Augusta, Rumsey said.

Wood is scheduled to appear in Kennebec County Superior Court at 8 a.m. June 22.

Rumsey said he did not know if Wood went inside the Champions building Wednesday night.

"Certainly, we're always concerned when we come in contact with people in possession of firearms they aren't supposed to have," Rumsey said. "That's a fairly powerful handgun -- the same caliber as pistols officers carry as sidearms. We're glad that he was taken into custody and the pistol was seized without any serious issues."

Amy Calder -- 861-9247

acalder@centralmaine.com