MANCHESTER, N.H. — A New Hampshire man has been arrested after he allegedly threatened a tree cutting crew.
Manchester, New Hampshire police say the owner of 141 Massabesic Street hired a tree cutting crew this past week. The crew was setting up outside of the apartment around 7:30 a.m. Monday when the 48-year-old first-floor tenant began arguing with them.
"There was a vehicle in the driveway. We knocked on the door to have the vehicle moved. I believe the first-floor tenant came out of the building, really did not want to move the vehicle," said Matthew Gosselin, Accurate Tree Service.
Police say the tenant's 22-year-old son, Joseph Montello Fernald, came out of the apartment and started arguing with them before pointing a black handgun at them. Fernald went right back into the apartment and the tree workers called police.
"I couldn't believe, I couldn't believe that anybody could be that upset to threaten us. We're just trying to do our job - it's dangerous enough," said David Burl, Accurate Tree Service. "He was threatening everybody to leave. Everybody needed to leave the property immediately and he didn't have much reasoning why."
Fernald's mother, who asked not to be identified, told Boston 25 News the tree crew was rude and used profane language and her son was simply protecting them.
"It's unfortunate because he's a good boy. He didn't deserve this," said Fernald's mother. "All my son said was, can you please leave my effin' mother alone? That's all he said!"
When officers arrived, they found two sets of brass knuckles in Fernald's pockets and a black BB gun inside the apartment.
His mother says he does legally own a gun, but says he would never use it, but Gosselin says the gun they saw, is something they will never forget.
"It's a dangerous job, and to add that into the mix, it's extremely disappointing to the crews, ya know," said Gosselin.
Fernald was arrested and charged with criminal threatening and possession of a dangerous weapon.
He was released on $2,000 bail and is due in court on Feb. 1.