United States (New York) - Maybe these guys have seen too many Charles Bronson flicks. A Long Island fire chief and an FDNY cohort were busted for taking the law into their own hands - hunting down a gunman who sprayed bullets blocks from the Hempstead firehouse, police said yesterday.

Michael Charles, 51, the Hempstead fire chief and a decorated former NYPD detective, and Brian Schuck, 33, are accused of stopping a 29-year-old man and quizzing him at gunpoint.

The drama unfolded Sunday after shots rang out near the firehouse, leaving two people wounded.

Charles said he saw a bunch of kids running and, along with Schuck and another man, chased them, authorities said.

Schuck, 33, allegedly flashed a gun while Charles told him not to move and questioned him about the gunplay.

The suspects identified themselves as firefighters, authorities said.

Cops recovered five licensed weapons from Charles, police said.

"My instincts kicked in," Charles told The Post. "I guess it doesn't pay to get involved anymore."

Police said the arrest of a third suspect is pending.

Originally published by KIERAN CROWLEY and MURRAY WEISS.

(c) 2010 The New York Post. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

Written by The New York Post

  

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