HAVERHILL — Witnesses said they heard Cesar Maldonado cock the hammer of the gun he was pointing at a female bartender.
Police said the stolen .45-caliber, semiautomatic Taurus handgun that Maldonado pointed at the woman outside the 8th Avenue Tavern on Sunday night had four rounds in its magazine.
It was a frightening scene, according to police. The woman dropped to the ground to hide behind a tire on her car. Several other people ran inside the bar and shut the door behind them.
Maldonado, 34, of 29 Dudley St., was arraigned yesterday in Haverhill District Court on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a firearm without being licensed, illegal possession of ammunition, and receiving stolen property over $250 (the gun). He was ordered held without bail until a hearing on Sept. 13, where it will be decided if he is a danger to society and should continue to be held.
Maldonado, who police believe might be a recent immigrant from Mexico, was having a drink at the 8th Avenue Tavern about 11 p.m. Sunday, when he ordered another drink, police said. But the bartender refused to serve him since he already had a beer in front of him and it was closing time.
A short time later, the female bartender, joined by a couple of other employees, went outside for a break. They were followed by Maldonado, who then went into his minivan, pulled out a handgun, pointed it at the woman and then cocked the hammer, police said.
The woman ducked for cover, the witnesses ran into the bar, and Maldonado drove away down Cedar Street, police said.
One of the witnesses got a look at the license plate and vehicle and was able to give police a description. The vehicle was found on nearby 7th Avenue. Police said it was registered to a woman at 25 Dudley St.
After speaking with witnesses in the neighborhood, they learned that Maldonado was inside 25 Dudley St.
Patrolman Eric MacKinnon, joined by detectives and several other police officers, entered the building and arrested Maldonado without incident about midnight.
The gun was found in a closet, police said. They also recovered a Mexican driver's license belonging to Maldonado. Police said the gun was listed as one of two weapons stolen Sept. 19, 2007, from 39 Dana Hill Road in New Hampton, N.H.
Police said Maldonado told them he did have a gun and he did pull it out. When questioned further by police, Maldonado said he had been out drinking with friends that night and then went to the bar.
Police spokesman Sgt. John Arahovites said the 8th Avenue Tavern is normally a quiet place.
"We have very few problems there," Arahovites said. "It's a little neighborhood tavern."
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