HAVERHILL — A patron upset that the bartender refused to give him another drink took matters into his own hands when he grabbed a gun out of his van and brandished it at employees before fleeing the scene last night, police said.
Cesar Maldonado, 34, of 29 Dudley St., Haverhill, who police believe may be a recent immigrant from Mexico, was having a drink at the 8th Avenue Tavern about 11 p.m. when he ordered another drink, police said. But the bartender refused to serve him since he already had one.
Shortly after, the female bartender, joined by a couple of other employees, went outside for a break. They were followed by Maldonado.
The man then went into his van and pulled out a 45-caliber semi-automatic Taurus handgun. He walked over to the bartender and pointed it at her and the other employees.
They ducked for cover and the suspect jumped in his car and took off, police said.
One of the people with the bartender got a glimpse of the license plate and the getaway car and was able to give police a description.
The vehicle was found on nearby 5th Avenue by street supervisor Sgt. John Rosario. After speaking with witnesses in the neighborhood, they learned that Maldonado was inside 29 Dudley St.
Patrolman Eric MacKinnon, joined by detectives and several other police officers, entered the building and arrested Maldonado without incident at about midnight.
The gun, which turned out to be stolen, was found nearby.
Police have charged Maldonado with assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a firearm without being licensed, illegal possession of ammunition and receiving stolen property over $250 (the gun).
He will be arraigned today in Haverhill District Court.
Nobody was injured and Maldonado did not fire off any rounds of his gun, police said.
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See tomorrow's editions of The Eagle-Tribune for more on this story.
