A Clinton man was charged Wednesday in connection with an assault in the parking lot of an East Lyme restaurant more than six months ago.

Jordani Gallardo-Abarca, 37, of 4 Blaine Ave. was arrested on a warrant by Connecticut State Police Troop F in Westbrook during a traffic stop about 12:48 a.m. Wednesday.

He was charged with third-degree assault, second-degree threatening and second-degree breach of peace, and was turned over to the East Lyme Police Department, according to East Lyme Chief Michael Finklestein.

A warrant was issued for Gallardo-Abarca's arrest following an assault on an employee at Castello of Niantic, a restaurant at 11 E. Pattagansett Road.

East Lyme police were called to the restaurant about 9:05 p.m. Nov. 5 for reports of an assault. An employee reported that he was leaving the back exit of the restaurant to go home when a man ran up to him and shouted "What's wrong with you? Why are you doing this to my niece?"

The man, whom he recognized as his ex-girlfriend's uncle, then threatened to kill him and allegedly knocked him to the ground, punched and kicked him, according to the arrest warrant.

Police reviewed surveillance footage from the restaurant and captured a clear image of the alleged assailant, who they identified as Gallardo-Abarca.

Another employee told police that they saw a green truck labeled "Jordan's Landscaping" parked at the restaurant near the time of the attack. The victim's ex-girlfriend told police that her uncle worked in landscaping and lived in Clinton, according to the arrest warrant.

Police said they attempted to speak with Gallardo-Abarco at his home and business but couldn't make contact with him. A warrant for his arrest was signed by Judge Hillary B. Strackbein later in November.

Gallardo-Abarca also was charged with driving a vehicle without insurance and with a suspended license and is scheduled to be arraigned in court in Middletown on July 30.