Belmont resident charged with criminal threatening, reckless conduct in Laconia

LACONIA — A Belmont resident was arrested on New Year’s Day after apparently pointing a gun at the face of a woman downtown. 

Allen "AJ" Jones, 39, was charged with criminal threatening, according to a Laconia Police Department media release. 

On Wednesday, an individual entered the police department on New Salem Street to report being threatened with a firearm near the former Salvation Army thrift store location next door. Over the course of an investigation, police learned that a volunteer at Isaiah 61 Cafe was on their way to work when they heard an altercation at the building across the street.

The individual told police a man they knew as “AJ” was arguing with a female individual, so they stopped to check on her wellbeing. Jones reportedly became upset and pointed a firearm at the woman’s face. 

Police identified another victim at Isaiah 61 Cafe who said they had also been threatened by Jones with a firearm. 

Officers recovered a black 9mm Taurus handgun along with several rounds of ammunition. 

Jones is charged with two counts of criminal threatening with a firearm and one count of reckless conduct, a felony offense. 

The case remains under investigation and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Laconia Police Department at 603-524-5252.