Crime & Safety
Man Charged with Illegal Possesion of Firearms
An Inver Grove Heights resident was convited with illegal possession of firearms ater police responded to a suicide call.
Inver Grove Heights resident Joseph Wayne Brookins, 34, has been changed with ineligible possession of a firearm and receiving stolen property-firearm.
If convicted with the maximum penalties for the felonies Brookins could go to jail for 15 years and/or $30,000 for the possession charge or 20 years and/or $100,000 for the stolen property charge.
According to the criminal complaint Inver Grove Heights Police were called to the home in the 8000 block of Casper Way around 2:15 p.m. on Jan. 30 to respond to a report that Brookins was suicidal.
Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The man was "holding a hunting rifle and yelling at officers to shoot him," the report stated. "Brookins put the gun into his mouth and also pointed it at his head."
When he brought the gun down some police offers reportedly used a Taser on him and take him into custody.
Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"Brookins is a convicted felon prohibiting him from possession firearms. Located in the shed were two hunting rifles, both rifles were taken from a burglary in Inver Grove Heights on January 7, 2012," the complaint stated.
In June 2011 Brookins was convicted of a felony for taking a vehicle without owner consent . A felony conviction also came in February 2011 on burglary dwelling charges.
