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Police: Off-duty FDNY FF uses imitation pistol to threaten stranger

Firefighter Eric Watcher, 33, became suspicious of a man waiting for a cab outside of Watcher’s home, demanding to know why he was there before pulling the pistol out

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Rose Abuin/New York Daily News

Thomas Tracy
New York Daily News

An off-duty firefighter suspicious of a stranger waiting for a cab outside the FDNY member’s Brooklyn home menaced him with an imitation pistol and threatened to shoot him, officials said Tuesday.

Firefighter Eric Watcher, 33, stepped out of his home near E. 69th St. and Avenue V in Bergen Beach about 11 p.m. Monday and demanded to know why the 19-year-old man was standing there, cops said.

The two men got into a quarrel and Watcher allegedly pulled out an imitation pistol and threatened to shoot the victim.

Cops called to the scene arrested Watcher without incident. He is charged with menacing, harassment and weapon possession.

Watcher’s arraignment was pending in Brooklyn Criminal Court Tuesday.

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