Police: Man Who Pointed Gun at Enfield Officer Last Month Had Unregistered High-Cap Clip for It

ENFIELD, CT - A man who police said pointed a loaded, .357 Magnum at a police officer during a noise complaint investigation last month has now been charged with having an unregistered high-capacity magazine for the weapon, police said.

Craig Morelli, 57, of 13 Locke drive, was charged on Tuesday with failing to register the clip, police said. Another $250,000 was tacked onto the $250,000 bond already on his case, police said.

A warrant had been issued after police discovered he did not fill out the required paperwork for the high-cap magazine, Deputy Police Chief Gary Collins said.

The noise complaint investigation was on June 25, Collins said. That night, Morelli, 57, of was charged with criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault, criminal attempt to commit assault on a police officer, first-degree threatening, possession of a firearm while under the influence, first-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree breach of peace.

Police Chief Carl Sferrazza said the incident began on Locke Drive at 10:55 p.m. Officer David McGann was approaching the front door "when he heard something in the driveway," the chief said.

McGann observed a white male, later identified as Morelli, sitting on the side steps and began slowly approaching him. When the officer came within about 15 feet from him, Morelli lifted a large silver "revolver" and pointed it at the officer, Sferrazza initially said. It turned out to be a .357 Magnum.

Collins said McGann drew his service weapon and moved away to a safer position as Morelli followed the officer's movements with his gun. Morelli then slowly lowered the gun and complied when police ordered him to the ground, he said.

The weapon was a Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum with a 6-inch barrel, Sferrazza said.

Morelli appeared to be intoxicated, the chief added.

Photo courtesy of Enfield Police Department