Essex Cat Finds Suspect's Gun

ESSEX, Md. (WJZ) -- Sometimes it takes a feline.  That was the case early Wednesday morning when police were unable to find a weapon dropped by a suspect in an Essex neighborhood.

Denise Koch reports that's when Scooby went on the prowl.

Scooby lives on Reaching Circle in Essex with his owner, Michael Gerwig.  They were awakened Tuesday night when police surrounded a neighbor's house after a man barricaded himself inside.

K9 units managed to get the suspect out of the house but they were not able to find his weapon until Gerwig went out for a morning stroll with his four cats.

"They're out playing in the bushes," Gerwig said.  "Scooby, my one cat, found a weapon...I called 911.  They show up and of course the weapon was definitely loaded."

The fact that the weapon was loaded could have led to tragedy.

"This was a good ending to this sad situation," Gerwig said.  "My cat saves the day."

No shots were fired in the incident.  Police confiscated the gun. 

The officer's final words to Gerwig: "Give that cat some extra food tonight."