Police arrest man with guns in car

TORRINGTON — A 30-year-old man is facing a reckless endangerment charge after police say they found him with two weapons near Dunkin’ Donuts on South Main Street.

Jeffrey Folta, of 20 Hawley Drive, Ansonia, was arrested Nov. 13 and charged with illegal carry of a firearm while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to police.

Two city officers, wearing plain clothes and in an unmarked car, were parked near the Dunkin’ Donuts at 195 South Main St. Monday evening, according to the report.

A white Nissan Altima pulled into the parking lot of the Dunkin’ Donuts “emit- ting loud rap music” and parked near the officers, according to the report. Several of the other cars in the lot were occupied, and both the Dunkin’ Donuts and neighboring Cumberland Farms had employees and customers inside, according to the report. Officer Justin Tomlin heard a noise that caught his attention coming from the vehicle, according to the report.

“I immediately announced we were the police and instructed both subjects to place their (hands where) we could see them. The driver did not comply immediately. I immediately noticed a full size black pistol with a wood grain grip tucked along the front of the driver side seat in between the driver’s legs. It should be noted that the hammer on the pistol was locked to the rear,” said Tomlin in the report. “I noticed the driver’s right hand was on his right (leg) within inches (of) the pistol. I informed the driver (if) he reached for that pistol he would be shot. The driver then placed both hands on the steering wheel.”

The driver was identified as Folta. Tomlin noticed the “odor of an alcohol beverage” on the man’s breath and asked when he had last had a drink. Folta said he had had a shot of vodka, and that he had been taking Neuron- tin, which Tomlin said in the report “has negative side effects” when taken with alcohol. A bottle of vodka was found in the car.

Two pistols, a 9 mm Springfield 1911 and .45 automatic Colt pistol Springfield XDS, were seized and taken to the police department, according to the report.

Folta was released on $1,500 non-surety bail and scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Torrington Nov. 27, police said.