BANGOR, Maine — An off-duty police officer stopped a woman on Halloween night who was driving erratically with her 7-year-old grandson in the front seat and a semi-automatic weapon in the backseat, Bangor police Sgt. Paul Edwards said Monday.
Cynthia Faulkner, 48, of Alton was pulled over near the Bangor end of Interstate 395 at about 5 p.m. and originally gave Officer Mike Brennan a fake last name, Edwards said.
“She appeared under the influence,” the sergeant said. “She was acting just odd.”
Faulkner, who is a convicted felon and who was driving with a suspended driver’s license, was arrested and charged with felony endangering the welfare of a child and operating a motor vehicle after habitual revocation, as well as misdemeanor operating under the influence, Edwards said.
After Faulkner’s grandson and two large dogs were removed from her vehicle, Sgt. Bob Bishop noticed a .30-caliber semi-automatic M1 carbine rifle in the backseat under a blanket, the sergeant said.
“Unfortunately for her, she’s a felon,” Edwards said. Because of that, she also was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.
Faulkner was taken to the Penobscot County Jail and later released, a jail official said. (Nok-Noi Ricker, BDN)
Since when can an off-duty cop perform a traffic stop? Doesn’t sounds like a very smart granny though.
A police officer is never off-duty.
To protect and to serve.
That’s right. I used to see some at Dick Stacy’s who SHOULD have been off duty, but no, no matter what condition they are in, they still have the option to smack you down with a badge.
Never the recipiant myself, but witnessed lots of police abuse of power. Always left me with a bad taste for cops.
Outstanding work, Sgt. Bishop!
trick or treat . now show me your hands and the candy!!!!
automatic 5 years on the “FIREARMS” charge. Federal.. It is only a weapon when there is intent to use it against another human.
in maine she will probably get 6 months if she’s lucky
Why on earth would anyone allow this woman to take their child out in her Jeep when she clearly makes just one bad decision after another?
M1 Carbine? Kind of an odd gun to keep in the car these days. If it’s a Rockola or a real WW2 folder type I’ll pay your bail for you though.
Dad brought one of those back from Normandy Beach. He was supposed to turn it in BUT as he said they were just going to stuff the barrel and use it for practice. Dad kept the gun behind the seat of his pick-up for years, and never used it.
Nice gun, fired it onceway back,, then gave it to my cousin who lives in L.A. he needs it more than me.
The Trifecta!
An M1 in the back seat under a blanket leaves a lot of ??? about her daily goings-on, hmm…
Just defending herself,the kids and doggies from Road Rage from all the crazies out there.
Could be, in theory anyhow, but I don’t read about local road rage all that often. An M1 ain’t exactly a side-arm either. Given the gals sketchy past, there might be more than one reason to carry a .30 cal rifle in the back seat, under a blanket, within easy reach…
Just when you think you have seen and heard it all…along comes granny
she’ll be at working for Unicor for the next few years.
I’m glad the kiddo and the dogs are alright. Way to keep it classy, Granny!
So disgusting and so wrong!
Ms Faulkner; WHAT THE HE!@ WERE YOU THINKING?
“Unfortunately for her, she’s a felon.” She just has bad luck, I guess…
Why has BDN been removing comments the past two day for no reason. The comment I wrote last night is gone. Other comments from other stories are gone too. WTF?
I noticed that my comment from this morning on this story was removed also. I didn’t have any foul language or reason for them to remove. What’s up BDN??
Grandma, wise to heck up. You screwed your own life up- and now you want to screw up your innocent grandson? You shouldn’t be allowed to be near him! Shameful!
Nice people, doing nice things.
So she dressed up as a gun toting drunken granny on Halloween.
I feel that some things are better left out of the media. People do not understand that this doesnt just affect the person you are writing about but has an effect on the persons whole family including the little boy involved. Who some day will look at this and probably be quiet hurt by the media uprage. People dont think or take into effect these things. I know so becasue I am a person being effected. It is SO EASY to judge others when looking in from the outside, but who really likes to be judged? I can answer that… NO ONE!! I am a very non confrontational, unjudgemental person, but it has taken me until the age of 28 to get here. It hasnt been an easy road but I made all my descions in life n I have faced the consequences. I just dont think that its right that this is published n everyone has nothing but a bitter opinion. I mean do you know what she was going through in her life?? Granted it wasnt right and Im not saying I agree with it in anyway but everyone makes mistakes and nobodys perfect. If you think you are your crazy!! Everybody falls down at times and sometimes they have no one there to help them back up, believe me Ive been there and it really stinks!! Its the hardest most painful thing ever, but I have managed to get back up and so will she… She is strong and a beautiful person. I have full confidence in her making a full recovery and I know she can do so cause she is my Mother and I am proud to say so!! She has always been there for me no matter what, and I will support her even though she has faltered. I just hope this does not follow MY SON as he grows in age because I know my Mother would never do anything to harm my children. Its all in how things get taken out of context and blown out of proportion as usual. It is what it is and you cant change that, so I will continue to be me and support Cynthia Freeman “Faulkner” MY MOTHER because I know her and know that not everyones perfect and people do make mistakes and wish they could sometimes turn back time but thats not possible, and things happen for a reason and only God knows why. ~MindyLee~