Police: Haddam man reached for gun in struggle with officers

MIDDLETOWN — A seemingly intoxicated Haddam man allegedly reached in his pocket for a loaded gun which fell to the ground during a struggle with police Monday, according to the Middletown Police Department.

Detectives from the department’s Street Crime Unit had intervened in what appeared to be a physical dispute between 52year-old Michael Klonoski and a woman on Main Street. Police believe the fight was over a narcotics purchase, the department said in a news release Monday night.

A witness and police broke up the dispute and Klonoski then got into the physical struggle with detectives, according to police.

“During the struggle a loaded handgun in Klonoski’s pocket that he had been reaching for fell on the ground,” police said.

Detectives later learned that Klonoski, who allegedly appeared intoxicated, had a previously revoked pistol permit, according to the police department.

Klonoski was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, carrying a firearm under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, second-degree breach of peace and interfering with police. He was held on $250,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in state Superior Court in Middletown on Tuesday.

Police said they were conducting surveillance near Main Street and Rapallo Avenue at the time of the incident. The area is known to have a significant amount of narcotics activity, including sales and usage, and has resulted in related arrests. The department upped its surveillance and police patrol in the area due to recent drug complaints from residents, building management and landlords.