Lehi police arrest man in fake-gun incident

LEHI — An 19-year-old man is in jail for threatening another man with a gun after an argument over a cigarette.

The man and his two younger brothers had been arguing with the victim outside an apartment complex in Lehi early Sunday but then left and returned with a gun, according to a police affidavit filed in 4th District Court.

During the follow-up argument, the man pulled the gun — which police later identified as an airsoft gun — from his waistband and cocked it, police said.

He threatened the victim then left, and the victim called police.

The victim told police he thought the group of men might have gone back into another apartment building, so responding officers surrounded the area to watch it, the affidavit states.

When officers saw a man leaving on foot, they tried to talk with him, but he took off running, ignoring officers' calls to stop.

The man was finally detained after several blocks, according to the affidavit, and when asked where his gun was, told officers "it's a fake gun."

Police found the airsoft pistol at the man's apartment and confirmed it looked like a real pistol, except for the clear plastic body material. However, in the dark apartment area, the victim had described it as a black Glock pistol, police said.

The man was arrested for investigation of aggravated assault and interference with an arresting officer and was booked into the Utah County Jail.

— Sara Israelsen-Hartley