74°Good Morning
The Verne W. Critz Elementary School on North Dunton Avenue...

The Verne W. Critz Elementary School on North Dunton Avenue in East Patchogue was placed on lockdown. (Jan. 29, 2013) Credit: Robert Garofalo

An East Patchogue elementary school lockdown was lifted Tuesday after police found a man nearby carrying a gun -- though the weapon was "not operating" and children were not in danger, Suffolk police said.

Peter Perez, 31, of Medford had no apparent intention of harming anyone and appeared to know that the weapon was broken, police said.

He was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of possession of a hypodermic needle, after the Suffolk police responded with Aviation and Emergency Services units.

Suffolk County police said the initial 911 call, received at 11:36 a.m., reported "a suspicious person" who it "appeared had a rifle" and was seen near the Verne W. Critz Elementary School.

As the school went on lockdown status, police said, the street on which the school is located, Dunton Avenue, also was closed.

In a note to parents on the school's website, South Country schools superintendent Howard Koenig said the incident "occurred outside the grounds" of the school.

"A resident reported seeing a man with a weapon in the vicinity of the school," Koenig said in the note. "As soon as the school was notified, the school went onto immediate lockdown. Our children are safe and secure. Police responded and are monitoring the exterior of the school and are providing security at the school. The police have recovered the weapon and apprehended the individual.

With Joseph Mallia

and Bill Mason

Lt. Col. Sean Boughal, of the 106th Rescue Wing, based in the Hamptons, spoke about his team's mission to perform rescue operations in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports. Credit: Anthony Florio; AP; 106th Rescue Wing; Photo Credit: 130th Airlift Wing; Corey Clendenin

'Tears of joy that we made it' Lt. Col. Sean Boughal, of the 106th Rescue Wing, based in the Hamptons, spoke about his team's mission to perform rescue operations in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Lt. Col. Sean Boughal, of the 106th Rescue Wing, based in the Hamptons, spoke about his team's mission to perform rescue operations in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports. Credit: Anthony Florio; AP; 106th Rescue Wing; Photo Credit: 130th Airlift Wing; Corey Clendenin

'Tears of joy that we made it' Lt. Col. Sean Boughal, of the 106th Rescue Wing, based in the Hamptons, spoke about his team's mission to perform rescue operations in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

SUBSCRIBE

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME