Convicted Felon Arrested for Possession of Stolen Guns

Members of the Branford Police Patrol and Detective Divisions arrested Arsen Lazri, 24, of 210 Crosswoods Road, Branford, Friday, March 1 for possessing three stolen rifles taken in a Branford burglary reported in early February.

Lt. Patrick O’Malley, who commands the evening patrol shift, said that officers were called to the home at approximately 11 p.m. to investigate a domestic dispute between Lazri and his girlfriend. After Lazri was taken into custody for charges related to the dispute, officer’s interviews related to the domestic uncovered that Lazri, who is a convicted felon, was in possession of firearms, later determined to be taken in a burglary.

Officers Dominic Eula, Marc Andrew, Bret Johnson and Detective Patrick Moynihan recovered evidence including a Winchester 44 caliber rifle, a Marlin 22 caliber rifle and a Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun that police believe Lazri modified by sawing off the barrel to shorten its length.

Chief Kevin Halloran said officers that responded to investigate the dispute were very diligent in their efforts. Chief Halloran continued, “Our officers and detectives leave no stone unturned when it comes to comprehensive investigations, interviews of victims and interrogations of criminal suspects. Removing these deadly firearms from the hands of criminals is the fruit of their hard work and efforts.”

In addition to charges related to the original Domestic Dispute, Lazri was charged with three counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, three counts of Theft of a Firearm and Possession of a Sawed of Shotgun. He was held on a $200,000 bond and will be arraigned in New Haven Court this morning.

Detectives will continue to investigate Lazri’s involvement in the original burglary of the weapons.