Wallingford Man Had Loaded Guns, Knives, Drugs in Car: Police

A Wallingford man faces several charges after police found three fully loaded guns, multiple knives and drugs in his car during a traffic stop on Thursday.

Mark Depaola Jr. 29, of 31 North Airline Road, was pulled over for a seatbelt violation at about 1:20 p.m.

During his interaction with Depaola, the officer believed that Depaola was operating his vehicle under the influence of drugs, according to Lt. Cheryl Bradley.

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Bradley said the officer had Depaola exit his vehicle and it was then determined that he had a firearm on his person.

A search of his vehicle yielded three fully loaded firearms, three unregistered loaded high-capacity magazines as well as multiple knives. In addition to weapons, the officer seized 1.5 grams of powder cocaine and methadone.

Other items found in Depaola’s vehicle that did not result in criminal charges include a set of handcuffs, Yale and Veteran’s Affairs patches and Go Pro style cameras, according to Bradley.

Bradley said that at the time of his arrest, Depaola did possess a valid Connecticut pistol permit.

Depaola was taken into custody and charged with operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol, carrying of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, possession of narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia, interfering with an officer, seat belt violation and three counts of illegal possession of large capacity magazines.

Depaola was released after posting a $10,000 bond and is due in Meriden Superior Court on Nov. 13.

Wallingford Police Department photos