Garrett Maddox

SALEM, N.H. — When a driver suddenly saw a gun sticking out a car window on a heavily traveled road in Salem Wednesday, police weren’t about to take any chances.

They pursued the vehicle — occupied by two men — after receiving a call from another driver, hoping to prevent what could be a serious tragedy if shots were fired.

Within minutes, Detective Justin Bagley tracked down the Chevy Impala based on the detailed description provided by the frightened motorist, he said.

But when officers confiscated what appeared to be a silver handgun, they were relieved to discover it wasn’t a real weapon.

It was just a toy gun, said Salem police Lt. Joel Dolan.

As a matter of fact, it was a cap gun — only capable of creating a ear-splitting noise and no serious harm to anyone.

But toy or no toy, the two 20-year-old men who were cruising down the town’s busiest street are in serious trouble.

Jeffrey Meuse of Sandown and Garrett Maddox of Atkinson face felony disorderly conduct, criminal threatening and reckless conduct charges for what may seem like a harmless incident, Dolan said. He did not know the pair’s motive.

If convicted, each charge is punishable by three and a half to seven years in state prison.

Meuse and Maddox were taken into custody and later released on $1,500 personal recognizance. They are scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 14 in 10th Circuit Court in Salem.

Dolan said such cases, unfortunately, are “fairly common” in town and occur about once a month.

While some are false alarms, others are not — posing a dangerous threat to officers and the public.

Doug Ireland is a staff writer for The Eagle-Tribune.