Man Arrested For Sawed-Off Shotgun: North Haven Police

NORTH HAVEN, CT — A Coventry man is accused of possessing an illegal sawed-off shotgun in North Haven, according to police. This past summer, North Haven Police responded to a report of suspicious activity at the Sunoco Gas Station on Universal Drive. Responding officers located Branden Ridel, who was walking in and out of the store, according to police.

Police said the investigation revealed Ridel had an active arrest warrant issued by the Vernon Police Department. He was taken into custody and his vehicle was inventoried prior to being towed from the scene, according to police.

Police found three firearms inside of Ridel’s vehicle. Police said Ridel had a valid permit to carry the firearms, however, one of the guns was a homemade shotgun with a sawed-off barrel.

“The homemade shotgun was submitted to the State of Connecticut Firearms Unit for an evaluation,” police said in a press release. “It was determined the gun was illegal, and an arrest warrant was obtained by North Haven Officers.”

Ridel, 32, was detained by the Coventry Police Department early Tuesday morning and transported to North Haven where he was charged with possession of a sawed-off shotgun. He is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on Feb. 22.

Pictured: Branden Ridel, 32, of Coventry / North Haven Police Department