Members of the Brooklyn family caught with a stockpile of weapons are antique collectors – not dangerous thugs, according to a tenant.
Tenant and longtime friend Michael Poole, 29, was initially busted along with Thomas Siano, 57, Kathleen Siano, 58, and their son, Vincent Siano, 29, and charged with criminal possession of weapons.
Police found 30 guns, seven knives and two crossbows in the living quarters of the Sianos’ Gravesend home after executing a search warrant Friday, according to the Brooklyn district attorney’s office. The charges against Poole, who rented space in the home, were dropped.
Poole went to court Sunday to defend the family he has known all his life. Poole said the weapons were family heirlooms that were never used.
“These weapons were left to him by [Thomas Siano’s] grandfather and uncle, who he used to go hunting with,” said Poole, a professional locksmith.
“They were heirlooms. He put them up in the attic because he didn’t know what else to do with them. He never brought them out. He didn’t want anyone to get hurt.”
Dozens of pills also were found in their home, which sits across the street from a grade school, police said. Several neighbors and tenants of the Siano family said Sunday that the pills were for the medicines Prozac, Paxil and Xanax – and that all were obtained legally.
Kathleen Siano suffered a seizure Sunday before her arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court and was taken out of court in a wheelchair before being formally charged.
The judge ordered Thomas Siano to undergo a psychiatric evaluation before he’s due back in court April 16.
The arraignment for their son was pending last night.
“I’d never have thought they have such an arsenal up there, but they’re just collectors. They wouldn’t hurt a soul. We feel completely safe living here. This isn’t fair to them,” said Chris Ruiz, 27, who also lives on the Siano property.
A decades-long neighbor, Peter Consolo, 47, said Thomas Siano also collects old coins.
Source: https://www.nydailynews.com/2010/03/28/theyre-antique-collectors-not-thugs-says-tenant-of-family-caught-with-stockpile-of-weapons/