UConn Professor Accused of Vandalizing High-End Cars, Placed on Leave

An associate professor in the University of Connecticut Chemistry Department is on administrative leave after allegedly getting drunk and vandalizing several high-end cars in Greenwich, police said.

According to police, 46-year-old Gabriel Fenteany, of Vernon, became intoxicated at a friend’s house on Lafayette Court in Greenwich the afternoon of Oct. 26, then walked through nearby parking lots and vandalized a number of cars.

Police said Fenteany spit and urinated on the cars, kicked them and ripped off side-view mirrors. The targeted cars included two Audis, a BMW, two Lexus models and a Honda Civic.

Fenteany is charged with three counts of criminal mischief and one count of breach of peace.

UConn officials said Fenteany has been placed on administrative leave and banned from campus.

"UConn has placed Mr. Fenteany on administrative leave and has prohibited him from campus until University and/or criminal investigations of the allegations have been concluded," said UConn spokesperson Stephanie Reitz, in a statement released Tuesday evening. "Arrangements are being made to cover his teaching duties and other professional responsibilities."

He was arrested at the UConn Storrs campus on Dec. 2 and turned over to Greenwich police.

Fenteany was released on a promise to appear, police said. Fenteany is due in court on Dec. 9.

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