Bicyclist From Southington Charged After Shots Fired In Vernon: Police

VERNON, CT — A Southington resident is accused of firing random gunshots in Vernon while riding a bicycle.

Vernon police said that at about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, they received reports from the area of the shopping plaza at 243 Hartford Turnpike that a male riding a bicycle had fired several rounds from a gun.

Officers quickly located the suspect, who fled the area on his bicycle and was hiding the Carvel ice cream shop in the plaza, according top an incident report.

During the arrest, officers recovered a Glock 43X handgun from the bicyclist's waistband, according to an incident repo0rt. While the man was being secured in a patrol vehicle he became combative and resisted officers, and hurt one of them, according to an incident report.

He was eventually secured and transported to the Vernon Police Department, according to an incident report.

Meanwhile, detectives and patrol officers conducted an extensive canvass of the area and located eight spent shell casings in the grassy Green Circle area. Additional assistance was provided by New Britain police dog team of Officer Andrew Terreri and his partner, Yeti, a 1-year-old German Short-haired Pointer who specializes in gunshot residue and firearm-related evidence recovery.

Yeti successfully located a ninth spent shell casing, according to an incident report.

The Connecticut State Police also assisted with the recovery of evidence.

It is believed the suspect was firing into the air, according to an incident report.

Arrested was Richardo Rodriguez, 33, of Southington.

Rodriguez was charged with the illegal discharge of a firearm, illegal possession of a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment, assault on an officer, interfering and breach of peace.