New London — Police arrested a local man Monday who was wanted on several outstanding warrants and found to be in possession of a stolen firearm.

Paul Pierce, 34, of 64 Maple Ave., was charged with two counts of violation of probation, first-degree failure to appear in court, second-degree failure to appear in court, possession of drug paraphernalia, interfering with a police officer, criminal possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm.

According to police, at about 1:50 a.m. members of the Uniformed Patrol Division saw Pierce enter his home. The officers knew that there were four warrants out for his arrest.

When police went to the home, they asked a woman there if Pierce was inside. She said she did not know and invited the officers to look for him. Police found Pierce hiding in a closet in his bedroom. Officers found a Ruger 77/17 rifle with ammunition inside the closet he was hiding in.

Police said the rifle was reported stolen in 2007 from Groton.

A judge ordered Pierce's re-arrest on Jan. 16, 2014, after he did not appear in court to answer to the charges of possession of narcotics and sixth-degree larceny.

Pierce was scheduled to be arraigned Monday in New London Superior Court.