West Haven Man Arrested with Fake Assault Rifle: Police

West Haven police arrested a man accused of causing a disturbance while carrying a fake rifle Tuesday afternoon.

Pasquale Pilla, 38, of West Haven, faces charges of illegal use of a facsimile firearm, breach of peace, and interfering with police.

Police said around 4:30 p.m. they received multiple 911 calls of a man with an assault rifle on Park Street. Callers reported the man was ripping flowers out of the ground, screaming, and knocked down road sign.

When police arrived they found the suspect, later identified as Pilla, in an apartment holding the rifle, according to police. Officers asked Pilla to leave the apartment but he refused, so police entered and took him into custody.

Police said the reported assault rifle was actually a replica paintball style gun.

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