Man allegedly pulled gun, threatened victim after being mistaken for employee at Beach Park auto shop

Joseph M. Burns produced a pistol and made threatening comments toward the victim, Covelli said.

By Edward Era Barbacena

Police say a man pulled a gun and threatened another person who mistook him for being an employee at an auto shop in Beach Park Monday afternoon.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 3:50 p.m. Monday to a business in the 39300 block of North Lewis Avenue in Beach Park.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said a call was made for a man with a gun.

Deputies arrived and spoke to the victim, an adult man.

The victim had entered the store and saw a man standing inside who he believed was an employee.

The victim walked up to the man to ask for help with something.

The man, Joseph M. Burns, 48, of the 13700 block of 91st Street in Kenosha, Wisconsin, was not an employee.

Covelli said that Burns became “enraged” for some reason after the victim asked him a question.

An argument ensued and Burns produced a pistol and made threatening comments toward the victim, Covelli said.

Sheriff’s deputies located Burns on the property, detained him and located his firearm.

He was charged with two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated assault and disorderly conduct.

Burns was released after posting 10% of a $10,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court again on October 20.