Update: Man claims handgun found at Mattituck gas station

UPDATE 3:50 P.M.

A 71-year-old Eastport man contacted Southold Police to claim the handgun that was found on the floor of the Mattituck Hess station Sunday afternoon. 

Frederick Benz flagged down a Southold Town police officer shortly after realizing he had accidentally left the gun behind. The gun was returned to Mr. Benz after he showed proof of ownership and it was confirmed that he could legally possess a handgun, police said.

The gun had been found around 1 p.m. by 54-year-old Frank Mole of Massapequa Park, a boater who was on his way out to the water when he stopped to use the rest room.

ORIGINAL STORY

A handgun was found on the floor of a rest room at the Hess gas station in Mattituck Sunday.

Southold Town Police received a phone call to report the finding shortly before 1 p.m. Sunday. The customer who found the weapon, a boater who was on his way out to the water when he stopped to use the rest room, left the gun where he found it and immediately phoned police.

A police officer quickly responded and removed the weapon from the premises. Police have not yet released any information about the incident, including the type of gun that was found.

An employee and the owner of the gas station both declined comment Sunday.