Suspect Arrested With 'Realistic-Looking Facsimile Shotgun' In Fairfield: Police

FAIRFIELD, CT — A 36-year-old Bridgeport man was arrested this week in Fairfield after police found him in possession of "a realistic-looking facsimile shotgun" following a traffic stop on Post Road near Grasmere Avenue, according to authorities.

An officer conducting traffic enforcement on Monday saw a vehicle without a front license plate and determined its rear registration plate had been canceled, according to Fairfield Police Sgt. Jenna Wellington. The officer stopped the vehicle and determined the driver, identified as Jehu Antonio Cruz-Ramirez, was also driving without a license.

Cruz-Ramirez initially gave officers multiple false names, Wellington said, and during the investigation, officers found a large kitchen knife next to the driver's seat, and what the officers described as a realistic-looking facsimile shotgun on the floor behind the front seats.

"Cruz-Ramirez's identity was later confirmed through fingerprints," Wellington told Patch.

He was charged with interfering with an officer, illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, illegal use of a facsimile firearm, failure to display plates, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, failure to insure and operating a motor vehicle without a license.

Cruz-Ramirez taken into custody and was released after posting 7 percent on bail of $2,500. He was scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on Aug. 24.

Wellington said that Cruz-Ramirez also had two outstanding warrants from New London Superior Court on separate failure to appear charges, and is due in that court on Aug. 31.