DUI Scooter Driver Had Gun Inside Meriden Mall: Police

MERIDEN, CT — A man was arrested after police said he was operating a scooter while under the influence and carrying an exposed gun inside the Meriden Mall on Saturday afternoon.

Police received a complaint from mall security around 2:30 p.m. reporting a man who appeared to be intoxicated was carrying an exposed gun inside the mall.

Mall security later reported that the man was leaving on a scooter with the gun placed under the handlebars, according to police.

Police said officers saw a man matching the suspect’s description riding a scooter approaching Lewis Avenue. Mall security was also there and pointed out the suspect, according to police.

The man was stopped and police said a gun was spotted in “plain view” right by the scooter’s handlebars.

Police said the man, identified as 33-year-old Victor Ayala Jr., was “immediately detained and it was apparent that he was under the influence of some type of narcotics due to his very lethargic state.”

An ambulance was called for “medical treatment,” according to police.

The gun was identified as an Amado Rossi .38 special with an obliterated serial number, according to police.

Police said Ayala was found to be in the possession of five .38 caliber rounds, one used syringe, one broken glass pipe, a small bundle of suspected narcotics, $289 (with a rolled up $20 bill) and four cell phones.

Ayala was arrested on charges of DUI, possession of a firearm while intoxicated, criminal possession of a firearm and ammunition, weapons in a motor vehicle, firearm with an obliterated serial number, breach of peace, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, possession/ use of drug paraphernalia, and operating without a license.

He was held in lieu of a $200,000 bond.