Former CT Cop Charged With DUI, Shoplifting in Wallingford After Leaving Court Monday

By Rich Scinto (Patch Staff)

A former Bridgeport cop accused of going on a drunken shooting rampage a decade ago was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol twice within 12 hours on the same day of a court appearance for another DUI case.

He was also arrested for shoplifting.

John Biehn, 39, of Southington didn’t make it far from the Rockville courthouse before being stopped by police for allegedly driving drunk.

Vernon Police received a report from a concerned citizen around 1:24 p.m. on Monday that the operator of a blue Hyundai Sonata was driving on the wrong side of Route 83 near Dart Hill Road, said Detective James Grady, department spokesman.

Police located the car in the McDonald’s Restaurant parking lot at 89 Talcottville Road.

Biehn told officers he was coming from Rockville court and was on his way home to Southington, Grady said. Officers performed a field sobriety test that Biehn failed.

He was charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence and failure to drive in the proper lane.

That was just the first time Biehn would get handcuffs slapped on him Monday. He was stopped by Wallingford police at 8:20 p.m. on Ives Road where he was again charged with DUI, according to the Hartford Courant.

Then around 2 a.m. he was arrested again, this time for allegedly shoplifting at the Wallingford Wal-Mart. He is accused of trying to steal headphones and food valued at $73.

Biehn received no jail time after he was accused of going to the Bridgeport Marina Village complex in August 2004 and firing shots at people during a rampage fueled by alcohol and anger over a dispute with his wife’s ex-husband, according to theConnecticut Post.

He was arrested on attempted murder, attempted assault and other charges, but a jury ultimately convicted him on one count of first-degree reckless endangerment for leaving a gun where children could find it. A judge gave him a one year suspended sentenced, along with mandated counseling, 400 hours of community service and substance abuse treatment.

The city settled a civil lawsuit with residents of the complex in 2009, according to theNew Haven Register.

The judge cited his military service as a reason for mitigating jail time. Biehn also resigned from the police department. A prosecutor said Biehn was a danger to the public and should get jail time.

Biehn was previously arrested by Vernon Police on July 26 and charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence and failure to drive in the proper lane. The case is still being litigated.