Man used BB gun to threaten paramedics in Cambs Tesco car park

Gun removed by officers from under car seat
-Credit: (Image: Cambridgeshire Police)


A man who pulled out a BB gun on paramedics and shop staff in Huntingdon has been sentenced. Staff at Tesco in Abbots Ripton Road, Huntingdon, found Floyd Coppolaro slumped over the wheel of his BMW in the shop's car park on March 11 last year.

Paramedics were called to check over the 48-year-old and he became aggressive, before pulling out what they believed to be a small black handgun. When armed officers arrived and arrested Coppolaro they found the gun under the passenger's seat and confirmed it to be a BB gun.

Drugs were also found inside the car. Coppolaro was arrested again on June 1 in Ramsey after he was found passed out in the town with a knife and class A drugs in his possession.

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At Peterborough Crown Court on Friday (September 20), Coppolaro, of Serjeants Close, Ramsey, was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years, after previously pleading guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, possession of a class C drug, possession with intent to supply of heroin and possession of an offensive weapon.

Detective Constable Lee Hurley, who investigated, said: "The members of staff and paramedics were simply concerned for Coppolaro’s welfare that day. They were not to know that it was an imitation firearm.

"We take the carrying of weapons of any kind very seriously and will do all we can to bring offenders to justice."