(WNY News Now) – A Dunkirk man was arrested Tuesday evening after allegedly threatening individuals with a handgun and being found in possession of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia.
DUNKIRK, NY – On April 8, 2025, at approximately 8:20 p.m., Dunkirk Police responded to a report of a person with a weapon near Lake Shore Drive East and Central Avenue. The suspect, later identified as 23-year-old Nathan L. Rivera of Dunkirk, reportedly displayed a handgun in a threatening manner at a nearby business before fleeing the scene.
Officers on the 3–11 shift quickly obtained a description of both Rivera and his vehicle. He was located a short time later and taken into custody without incident. During the investigation, police recovered a loaded 9mm Taurus handgun allegedly used in the threat, along with approximately 20.3 grams of fentanyl.
The fentanyl was packaged in a manner consistent with street-level drug sales. Authorities also seized packaging materials, digital scales, and cash believed to be connected to drug distribution.
Rivera was transported to Dunkirk Police Headquarters, where he was processed and charged with the following:
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree (Intent to Sell) – Class B felony
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree – Class B felony
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree – Class C felony
- Menacing in the 2nd Degree – Class A misdemeanor
- Two counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the 2nd Degree – Class A misdemeanors
Rivera was arraigned and remanded to the Chautauqua County Jail on $3,000 cash bail. As are all persons accused of a crime, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Dunkirk Police Department’s 3–11 patrol shift was assisted by the department’s Detective Bureau and K9 Unit.
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