Southington Police Arrest Man With Loaded Gun In Car

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A Waterbury man arrested in Southington over the weekend will see a judge later this month for several gun-related and motor vehicle charges.

According to the Southington Police Department, Marqus Dasilva, 25, of Waterbury was charged with second -degree illegal possession of a large capacity magazine; theft of a marker plate; misuse of a marker plate; not having insurance; and operating an unregistered motor vehicle.

Dasilva was originally held on a $100,000 cash or surety bond.

Police said Tuesday morning Dasilva posted bond and his court date is scheduled for July 15 in New Britain Superior Court.

According to police on Tuesday, the incident started in the early morning hours on Saturday.

Police said an officer was traveling on Center Street at 12:59 a.m. July 2 in his Southington Police Department assigned cruiser.

The officer, Sgt. Ryan Lair, was alerted of a stolen license plate on a vehicle nearby, police said in a statement released Monday and sent to Patch Tuesday.

That's when Lair located a 2002 Honda Accord, parked in a municipal parking lot located at 129 Center St., police said.

"At that time, it was confirmed that the registration affixed to the vehicle was indeed a stolen license plate," wrote police in the statement.

Police said, upon approaching the vehicle, Lair made contact with a female occupant who was sitting in the front passenger seat of the vehicle.

Upon initiating contact with the female occupant, Lair was approached by a male who identified himself as the operator/owner of the vehicle.

The male was later identified as Dasilva.

Police said Dasilva was told of the reason of interaction and was asked to provide his operators license and required vehicle paperwork.

When Dasilva, police said, opened the driver’s side door of his vehicle and began to reach inside to gather the requested items, Lair noticed a firearm laying on the front driver’s side seat "in plain view."

Dasilva was immediately detained and further investigation occurred.

It was determined Dasilva did not have a valid Connecticut pistol permit and was showing the status of a convicted felon.

The firearm was determined to be a Taurus, 9mm handgun, which contained a loaded 17-round magazine, with one live round in the chamber of the firearm.

The vehicle was found to be unregistered and was uninsured, police said.

Dasilva was transported to Southington Police Headquarters, where he was booked and processed.

For the Southington Police Department's Facebook page post on the incident, visit this link.