Airsoft Gun Lands Collingswood Man in Jail

A Collingswood man who police say counted on a fake handgun looking real enough to fool someone with whom he was arguing will face serious charges as a result.

At 10:22 a.m. on June 16, Collingswood police responded to the 300 block of Champion Avenue, having reportedly received multiple calls of a heated, public argument between two men there.

When they arrived, police said they saw 53-year-old William C. Scargle of Collingswood arguing with another man.

Scargle allegedly had an orange-tipped airsoft pellet gun tucked in the waistband of his pants, and had apparently made reference to it during the course of the argument, police said.

Although airsoft guns are only replica weapons, the display was convincing enough for police to charge Scargle with several offenses: unlawful possession of a weapon, terroristic threats and possession of a weapon. 

Bail was set at $50,000 full-cash, and Scargle was remanded to the Camden County correctional facility.

All information provided by Collingswood Police Department. An arrest is not a conviction.