Man accused of drunkenly threatening patrons of CT bar with stolen handgun

A man was arrested last week at a bar in Naugatuck where police allege he drunkenly threatened someone with a stolen gun.

Richard Molyneux, 42, of Naugatuck was arrested last Thursday on charges of theft of a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree threatening, interfering with a police officer, second-degree breach of peace, carrying a firearm under the influence of intoxicating liquor and carrying a pistol or revolver without a permit, according to the Naugatuck Police Department.

Officers responded to Sullivan’s Cafe on Church Street around 11 p.m. on the report of a man threatening patrons with a handgun, police said. When officers arrived, they detained Molyneux and found him with an empty holster and a loaded magazine but no gun, according to police.

Police said witnesses told officers Molyneux had gotten into an argument with someone at the bar, at which point he left, pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the victim.

Officers searched the area and were able to find a handgun that they said Molyneux had taken without the owner’s knowledge.

He was initially held on $150,000 bond and arraigned last Friday in Waterbury Superior Court, where a judge reduced his bail to $25,000, court records show. Molyneux is free from custody and is scheduled to appear in court again on May 17. He has not entered a plea to the charges.