Corrections Officer Accused Of Brandishing Gun, Scaring Bystanders

CARMEL, NY — A state corrections officer faces charges in Carmel and unpaid suspension from his job after an incident Wednesday in Mahopac.

Carmel police received a report at 9:02 p.m. about a man brandishing a handgun in the vicinity of Kobu Restaurant at 903 S. Lake Blvd.

Several officers responded to the scene. They located the man still holding a loaded .380 caliber pistol.

Officers quickly issued orders to the man and were able to take him safely into custody without incident.

Police allege that Michael Vives of Mahopac was involved in a dispute with another man. Vives became agitated and then brandished a loaded .380 Smith and Wesson handgun, they said.

Police said video footage showed him staggering down Route 6N, entering several businesses while brandishing the handgun, causing several panicked bystanders to flee for safety.

It appears Vives was authorized to carry the firearm in question as an active NYS Corrections Officer, police said.

At no point were any rounds discharged from the firearm and no injuries reported.

Vives, 33, was charged with Reckless Endangerment 1st (D Felony), Menacing 2nd (A Misdemeanor), and Disorderly Conduct (Violation). He was released with an appearance ticket pending arraignment on Oct. 16, in the Town of Carmel Justice Court.

A spokesperson for the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision told Patch the department is in the process of suspending Vives, without pay, pending issuance of a Notice of Discipline.

Police said that while it was an isolated incident with the sole suspect taken into custody, Carmel detectives continue their investigation and ask anyone with additional information to call them at (845) 628-1300.