Convicted Felon Riding Stolen Scooter Found With Gun: Meriden Police

MERIDEN, CT — A convicted felon was arrested after police said he was erratically operating a stolen scooter and was found to be in possession of a gun Tuesday in Meriden.

The Meriden Police Department Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) was conducting “proactive patrols” in the downtown green area on May 5, according to police.

“We are aware that warmer weather has led to increased criminal activity in the area,” police wrote in a news release. “We are continuing to maintain a proactive approach from the patrol and detective divisions to increase accountability.”

Police said officers saw a man, later identified as 33-year-old Julian Bradford, operating a scooter on the sidewalk in the area of 64 East Main St.

Bradford was also seen operating the scooter in an “erratic manner” in the area, according to police.

Police said officers contacted Bradford in a parking lot on Pratt Street, and he was found in possession of a 9mm firearm and a high-capacity magazine.

“Bradford is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms,” police wrote. “A check of the scooter that Bradford was riding also determined that it was stolen out of Stamford.”

Bradford was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a firearm, possession of a high-capacity magazine, larceny of a motor vehicle, carrying a pistol without a permit, improper operation of a motor vehicle on a sidewalk, and operation of a motor vehicle while under suspension. He was held in lieu of a $350,000 bond.