A man charged with brandishing a BB gun in a Westminster library Wednesday afternoon is being held in the Carroll County Detention Center in lieu of $100,000 bail, authorities said yesterday.
Mark A. Riedel, 43, of the 300 block of N. Colonial Ave. in Westminster has been charged with one count of first-degree assault, three counts of second-degree assault, two counts of possession of paraphernalia and one count each of reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and having a concealed deadly weapon, police said.
About 4 p.m., Riedel approached a pregnant 17-year-old woman outside the library at 50 E. Main St. and threatened to stick her with a syringe, authorities said. The woman told a male friend, who began to argue with Riedel inside the library. During the argument, Riedel took out a BB gun that resembled a semiautomatic pistol, and the two struggled, authorities said. The man suffered a cut lip, police said.
Police said Riedel was disarmed and restrained by a retired Frederick County sheriff's deputy, with assistance from library security. The library was evacuated and reopened 30 minutes later.
Riedel was awaiting a bail review hearing last night, authorities said.