Bridgewater MA— A call to police about a man allegedly carrying a bazooka along a busy Bridgewater roadway turned out to be far less alarming than first reported.
According to the Bridgewater Police Department, officers were dispatched around 10:40 a.m. on May 23 after a caller reported seeing a man dressed in camouflage clothing near South and Pleasant streets who appeared to be carrying what looked like a bazooka. Police quickly responded to investigate the report.
When officers arrived, they discovered the suspected weapon was actually a leaf blower being carried by a landscaper working in the area. After speaking with the man, police determined there was no threat to the public.
Bridgewater Police Lt. Scott Hile said officers take every report seriously, even when the information may seem unusual. While only one person called to report the sighting, police still followed standard procedures and checked it out.
Officials noted that people can sometimes misinterpret what they see, especially from a distance. Despite the mix-up, police encourage residents to report suspicious activity when something doesn’t seem right.
The unusual incident gained attention online after the department shared the call log entry on social media. Many commenters found humor in the misunderstanding, while others praised police for responding cautiously.
In the end, what was reported as a possible rocket launcher turned out to be nothing more than landscaping equipment and a worker going about his day.
