Cops Nab Speeding Driver Who Had Sawed-Off Shotgun, Handguns

EAST HAVEN, CT — A routine motor vehicle stop lead to a gun arrest after a convicted felon was found to be in possession of a sawed off shotgun, police said.

Sunday afternoon, East Haven Police Sgt. Kevin Klarman was on routine patrol when he saw a black Nissan Armada speed past him on Frontage Road heading west. Klarman followed the car, which continued to drive recklessly, weaving in and out of lanes and at one point, cutting off another vehicle. Klarman was able to stop the car on Frontage Road near the Home Depot plaza.

The driver, Roman Koffman, 35, of Peach Drive, Seymour, was unable to provide a valid driver’s license. Klarman spoke with Koffman and his passenger briefly about the car violations before asking them to get out of the car once other officers arrived on scene.

Cops searched the car and found a red canvas bag in the back seat with the following items within.

• (1) Sawed off 12 gauge shotgun
• (1) Silver Iver Johnson “Lighting Express” revolver handgun
• (1) Single shot black powder antique pistol
• (1) Black revolver with no grips
• Several different types of ammunition including 12 gauge slug shotgun ammunition, .22 caliber ammunition and 12 gauge “power pistol” rounds.

East Haven Police Lt. Joseph Murgo said that, "upon further inspection of the sawed off shotgun, there were evident grind marks on the barrels indicating it had been cut down and filed. The rear butt stock was also cut down and shaved to make a pistol type grip."

Police ran a check and found out that Koffman is a convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

In addition to the firearms, several buprenorphine/naloxone strips were located within the vehicle without a proper prescription.

Koffman was arrested and charged with having weapons in a motor vehicle, carrying a pistol without a permit, criminal possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a sawed-off shotgun.

Koffman posted a $10,000 bond and was released. He's scheduled to appear in court April 20.