By Jim Clark

Police responded to a call complaining of a man with a shotgun reportedly sitting on the porch at 142 Holland St. after having a confrontation with residents there.

Officers arrived at the scene but did not at first see the man in question.

The second floor residents of the building reportedly told responding officers that the man had, as they arrived at the residence, accused them of stealing his turtle.

The woman and her boyfriend said that they denied having any knowledge of the missing turtle, but that the man continued his accusations, stroking his shotgun as he spoke. The alleged victims also stated that the man had a hand gun in his waistband, police said.

The man reportedly said to the alleged victims, “Someone took my turtle. My baby who I saw hatch. How would you like it if someone took your baby?”

The couple again denied taking the man’s turtle and told the man that they would not be threatened by his gun. As they proceeded inside the building and up the stairs they reportedly heard four chambering sounds from the pump action of the shotgun. The woman reportedly observed the defendant slide the pump action of the shotgun and the ammunition being ejected onto the floor, whereupon she backed down a couple of steps and picked up one of the shotgun shells, then proceeded quickly up the stairs.  The woman reportedly gave the shotgun shell to the responding officers.

Police were told that the man was in the first floor apartment. After several minutes of knocking the man eventually opened the door and police restrained him and took him into custody, according to reports.

Weapons found in the apartment were seized, including the reported shotgun as well as two handguns and two machetes. Shotgun ammunition matching the shell produced by the victims was also found.

Seth Roberts, 31, was charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.