Hempstead fire chief arrested in menacing incident

HEMPSTEAD Michael Charles pleaded not guilty to menacing and weapons possession charges at his arraignment on Tuesday. He was released without bail. His attorney did not immediately return a call for comment.

Nassau County Police say Charles and two other men in a fire department SUV stopped a pedestrian on Sunday afternoon. Charles, who allegedly had a handgun, and a passenger with a shotgun exited the vehicle. A third man with a shotgun stayed in the SUV.

Charles allegedly searched the 29-year-old man before releasing him. It was not clear why he was detained.

One passenger also was arrested; the third person is still being sought.

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