Man Walked Into Monroe Wine Shop Holding Loaded Gun: Police

MONROE, CT — Police have charged a Shelton man whom they say pointed a gun at the entrance of a Monroe wine shop with multiple offenses, including risk of injury to a child.

Philip Caseria, 60, of West Knollwood Terrace, can be seen on surveillance video pointing a handgun at the front door of 574 Wines, 574 Monroe Turnpike on Saturday afternoon. The footage then shows the man entering the shop, and appearing unsteady on his feet before exiting, police said. Shop patrons and employees fled to the back of the building when they saw Caseria enter.

"We have no rhyme or reason why this occurred," Monroe Police Lt. Michael Sweeney told Patch.

The Monroe PD was called in shortly after 3 p.m., but Caseria was gone before officers arrived — but not before an eyewitness jotted down the license number of his 1989 Ford Econoline E-150, according to police.

Police in Shelton nabbed Caseria less than a half-hour later and found a loaded Ruger .380 handgun on the floor of the van, according to Sweeney. The Shelton Police Department charged Caseria with motor vehicle violations before turning him over to the Monroe PD.

Monroe police charged Caseria with two counts of first-degree threatening, five counts of breach of peace, five counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, illegal carrying of a firearm while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and risk of injury to a child. Sweeney said police believe there was a child in the area where Caseria pulled his gun.

Caseria was released on a $250,000 bond and scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 20.