East Hampton Man Allegedly Threatens Electric Co. Contractors With Rifle

East Hampton Police Dept. officers responded to 501 Moodus Rd., East Hampton, at approximately 11:19 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, after receiving a complaint of an armed, intoxicated man on the property.

Two private contractors, working on behalf of Eversource to restore power in the area, told police they were threatened by a man later identified as 44-year-old Jeremy J. Hackling.

“The complainants further stated that while they were on the property, they were approached by the suspect, whom they described as being intoxicated,” East Hampton Police said. “The complainants stated that the suspect told them that he had a gun and told them he did not want them on his property. The complainants stated that upon hearing this they left the property.”

When they passed the property a short time after the alleged threatening, they told police they saw Hackling holding a flashlight and rifle.

“The [complainants] further explained that as they continued past the property, they heard what they believed to be three or four gunshots,” police said. “The complainants could not indicate if the shots they heard were fired in their direction.”

Officers searched the property for the suspect, who was located on the property but was not armed when he was located by police.

“However, a loaded Springfield Arms M1 Rifle was located at the scene and it was seized as part of the investigation,” police said.

The suspect was taken into custody without incident and arrested on the following charges:

• Threatening
• Interfering with an Officer
• Criminal Use of a Firearm
• Criminal Possession of a Firearm
• Possession of Large Capacity Magazine
• Breach of Peace in the Second Degree
• Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm
• Carrying a Firearm While Under the Influence of Liquor or Drugs
• Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree

Hackling was scheduled to appear before the Middletown Superior Court on Thursday, March 19, to answer to the aforementioned charges.