LYNN — A 27-year-old man was arrested on Sunday and charged with pointing a loaded handgun at a passenger who reportedly stiffed him for a cross-country ride to Lynn.
Justin Deflanders, of Tacoma, Wash., was charged with firearm use in a felony, possession of a firearm without a firearm identification card, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, witness intimidation and other firearms charges.
Deflanders was arrested after a dispute that allegedly stemmed from him driving a 21-year-old Lynn man from Washington to the city for a fee, Lynn Police Lt. Michael Kmiec said.
Deflanders claims he wasn’t paid and then assaulted the victim with a handgun — he pointed the handgun at the man, but no shots were fired, Kmiec said.
Police came upon the incident in the area of 120 Liberty St. shortly after 1 a.m. after seeing a car in the middle of the street. When officers went to investigate, they were told Deflanders had a gun, which was located in the car, Kmiec said.