Man Pointed Assault Rifle At Woman He Thought Was Watching Him: North Haven Police

NORTH HAVEN, CT — A North Haven man is accused of pointing an assault rifle, which was equipped with a red laser sight, at a woman in a parking lot because he thought she was watching him, according to police.

At 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, March 26, the woman reported to police that she was parked at a North Haven Medical Center when a man approached her vehicle with a rifle.

The woman told police that the rifle was equipped with a red laser sight and was pointed at her.

• To sign up for North Haven breaking news alerts and more, click here.

“Officers responded and located Richard Avino inside his Nettleton Avenue home,” police said in a press release. “The investigation revealed Avino thought the victim was someone who was watching him. He approached the vehicle with the laser-armed rifle planning to confront the person, but realized he was not being watched.”

Officers determined the rifle was a banned assault weapon and Avino did not possess the proper permits to own it, according to police.

Police found a second assault weapon located inside of Avino’s residence. In total, six firearms were seized and Avino was taken into custody, according to police.

Avino was charged with two counts of possession of a prohibited assault weapon, reckless endangerment, threatening, risk of injury and breach of peace. Avino posted a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned on April 6.

Photos courtesy of the North Haven Police Department

See also:

• Golden Corral Sets Opening Date; Meteorologist Sentenced; WWE CEO Vince McMahon Involved In Crash: CT News