THIS is the shocking moment a man casually brandished a weapon at a group of teenagers in his local McDonald’s and later aimed it at a police officer in the street.
Jacob Jenkins, 29, was snapped on CCTV taking a seat with a tray full of food at the restaurant chain in Tonypandy, Wales on May 2.
He then unzips his jacket revealing a stab-proof vest and is seen staring menacingly at the youths while eating a burger.
The teens reportedly asked Jenkins if he was a cop , to which he replied “marines” before brandishing the gun.
The lads swiftly exited the restaurant and dialled 999.
Jenkins was later spotted by a police officer on Gelli Road.
Rather than cooperating with officers, Jenkins pulled out the weapon for a second time and pointed it at the responding officer before fleeing the scene.
More officers were dispatched to track down and arrest Jenkins, who discarded his coat at a nearby construction site.
After apprehending the culprit , a police dog and its handler recovered the coat along with two guns, which had been well-hidden under pallets.
Cops then combed through the address where Jenkins was staying, where they recovered another stab-vest and a tub of BB pellets.
Jenkins pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, possession of an imitation firearm in a public place, and two counts of possession of a bladed article in public at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday.
He was jailed for four years and one month in prison, with an extended period of three years.
“This incident was extremely frightening for everyone involved -from the youths who should have felt safe while enjoying their meal to the officer who was faced with a gun from just metres away,” said detective consttable Sarah Griffiths of South Wales Police.
“It demonstrates clearly how even weapons perceived by some to be harmless, such as BB guns, can be extremely dangerous in the hands of the wrong people.
“As shown here, they can be used to deliberately cause fear, or to carry out serious offences.
“As part of our In The Wrong Hands campaign, we urge our communities to work with us to ensure weapons such as this don’t fall into the hands of the wrong people, and I cannot commend the young witnesses in this case enough.
“Their quick-thinking ensured we were able to seize the weapons and bring Jenkins before the courts.
“I’m pleased Jenkins has been handed a custodial sentence and hope this brings some reassurance and comfort to those involved in the incident and the wider community.”
