Neighborhood Evacuated During Search, Man Charged: Hamden Police

HAMDEN, CT — A Hamden man was arrested on gun and drug charges Thursday after an investigation that started in Fairfield, and involved an evacuation in Hamden over a potential explosive device while a search warrant was being executed, according to police.

Hamden Police Detective Gabe Garcia was notified by Fairfield Police Detective Michael Zerella of an incident that happened in Fairfield during the overnight hours on Thursday.

A woman reported that her vehicle was shot several times while it was parked and unoccupied, according to Hamden Police Sgt. Angela Vey.

Vey said Fairfield police obtained four separate search warrants for Christopher Naber, of Hamden, following an investigation.

The search warrants were for his home on Fairview Avenue in Hamden, his person, his vehicle and an RV that was located on the property, according to Vey.

Vey said the victim has a full no-contact protective order against Naber, who was charged with disorderly conduct on Sept. 16 in connection with an incident that involved the victim.

Members of the Hamden Police Department Major Crimes Unit, Intel Unit, Emergency Services Unit and Patrol Officers together with the Fairfield Police Department and members of the Bridgeport Task Force assisted with the execution of the search warrants, according to Vey.

“While Officers were removing a dog from the RV trailer, a potential improvised explosive device was located by a member of the Hamden Police Department Emergency Services Unit,” Vey wrote in a news release. “The area was evacuated and secured and the New Haven Police Department Bomb Squad was contacted. After a thorough assessment of the device and surrounding area, it was determined that the device was not a threat, nor were any additional devices located.”

The search continued and the Fairfield Police Department, on the strength of its search warrants, seized two 40-caliber firearms, 40 caliber ammunition, several high capacity magazines and several spent 40 caliber cartridge casings, according to Vey.

Vey said Hamden police seized a 45-caliber handgun, and 1.3 pounds of marijuana from Naber’s bedroom. Hamden police also seized 1,006 tablets from Naber’s vehicle that were later determined to be Xanax, Vey said.

Naber does not have a valid pistol permit, according to Vey.

Naber was arrested and charged by Hamden police with criminal possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, violation of a protective order, three counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and possession of a controlled substance within 200 feet of a school.

Naber was held in lieu of a $100,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in court on Friday.

“No one was injured in the course of the investigation and the Hamden Police Department would like to thank members of the New Haven Bomb Squad, Bridgeport Task Force and Fairfield Police Department for their assistance in this incident,” Vey wrote.

“I first want to commend my Officers and Detectives on a job well done,” Hamden Police Chief E. P. Reynolds said in a statement. “The work in this incident falls in line with our ongoing efforts to make the Town of Hamden the very safest community possible for our citizenry.”

Hamden Mayor Lauren Garrett said: “Thank you to the Hamden Police Department for your swift response, keeping our community safe, and getting guns off the streets. October is domestic violence awareness month. If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the hotline at 800-799-7233.”