A late-night run to a Hamilton County Wawa ended in an arrest after police say a 21-year-old Westfield man blocked in a car, chased a group of teenagers and pointed a handgun at one of them in the parking lot. Investigators say the incident began when an item was thrown inside the store and escalated after one of the teens complimented the man by calling him “cute.” The juveniles ultimately drove away, and officers later identified and arrested the suspect after reviewing the store’s security footage, according to police.
What officers say happened
According to WXIN, officers were called around 11:30 p.m. after a caller reported that a man in a red Ford F-150 had pointed a handgun and was following the teens. Court documents reviewed by WXIN state that security video shows the suspect initiating contact inside the store, throwing an item, then blocking the teens’ vehicle outside and pointing a firearm equipped with a laser near a 17-year-old’s head.
What police found at the scene
Police later searched the Ford F-150 and, as reported by KABB, recovered a Taurus G3C 9mm handgun with an extended magazine and a green laser. Officers also reported finding drug paraphernalia and roughly 35 grams of pre-rolled marijuana joints inside a Louis Vuitton shark backpack. The suspect allegedly told investigators he had taken the gun from his grandfather without permission, according to the outlet.
Charges, custody and bond
Prosecutors charged 21-year-old Alexander W. Price with a series of felonies and misdemeanors, including criminal confinement with a deadly weapon, intimidation with a deadly weapon, pointing a firearm at another person and dealing in marijuana, according to WXIN. He was booked into the Hamilton County Jail and initially held without bond, then later given a $200,000 bond at a court hearing, the station reported.
Why the charges matter
Indiana allows permitless carry for many adults, but prior convictions or certain circumstances can turn unlawful-carry accusations into more serious felonies, and legal analysts note that a prior conviction can make possession a felony under state law. LegalClarity explains that sentencing enhancements and prior-conviction rules can mean that possessing or pointing a firearm brings steeper penalties than the base charges might suggest.
Next steps
The two other men who were in the truck with Price were later released, according to KABB. Police have not released any additional details on a possible motive beyond what is included in the court documents, and the Hamilton County Prosecutor is expected to decide on formal indictments as the case moves forward, according to the reports.
