Gear And Accessories
Felon kept illegal guns, ammunition in Meriden storage unit, police say
Felon kept illegal guns, ammunition in Meriden storage unit, police say
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Meriden, Connecticut
MERIDEN Police in Meriden, Connecticut, have arrested Toby Brown, 44, a convicted felon found with multiple firearms and over 200 rounds of ammunition stowed away in a storage unit. The arrest sheds light on the ongoing challenges of illegal firearm possession, particularly among convicted felons who are prohibited from owning guns. According to Meriden police Lieutenant Darrin McKay, the incident came to light on December 12, 2024, when employees at Just Storage on West Main Street discovered the firearms while cleaning out a storage unit that had been abandoned due to nonpayment. While moving a plastic bin from the unit, a handgun fell out, prompting employees to alert authorities. Upon arrival, officers conducted an inventory of the contents within the bin and uncovered five firearms, one of which had its serial number obliterated. In addition to the firearms, police also found more than 200 rounds of assorted ammunition and various firearm accessories. A particularly alarming discovery was a Glock switch, a device that can convert a standard semi-automatic handgun into an automatic weapon. Through a thorough investigation, police confirmed that Brown was the registered owner of these weapons and items found in the storage unit. Given his felony status, which legally prohibits him from possessing firearms, police promptly took him into custody. On Tuesday, Brown was arrested with support from the Adult Probation Services office in New Britain. He faces multiple charges including five counts of criminal possession of a firearm, possession of a rate of fire enhancement, alteration of a firearm serial number, illegal transfer of a firearm, and criminal possession of ammunition. Brown was released on a $350,000 bond and is scheduled for arraignment at the state Superior Court in Meriden on November 18, as indicated by judicial records. The implications of incidents like this are multifaceted. For one, they highlight the persistent challenge of illegal firearms in the community, especially concerning individuals who have previously faced criminal convictions. This raises questions for law enforcement regarding the effectiveness of current measures designed to keep firearms out of the hands of those prohibited from possessing them. Moreover, as law enforcement officials deal with the increasing number of illegal firearms, community safety remains a pressing concern. The recent arrest serves as a reminder of the ongoing firearms legislation discussions nationwide, particularly in contexts where gun ownership can result in significant legal repercussions.