Stamford Man Allegedly Carrying Makeshift Brass Knuckles Charged

Officers on patrol in the area of Richmond Hill Avenue and Ann Street Wednesday night at approximately 11:30 p.m. spotted a suspicious vehicle parked at the corner that looked to them like it had recently been tampered with, police said Thursday afternoon.

Officers were on heightened alert after several break-ins in the area, police said. As the officers pulled up next to the vehicle and illuminated it with their spotlight, a black male's head popped up into view from the driver's seat area, police said. That male then quickly exited the vehicle and attempted to hurry away from the area as if nothing had happened, police said.

The man, identified as Terrell Culver, 40, of Rose Park Ave., was approached by officers who attempted to question him, but police said Culver appeared to be disoriented and couldn't recall his own name.

Police said several times during their questioning, Culver was asked to removed his hands from his pants. Since he continued to put his hands down his pants, officers search him for their own safety, authorities said. They allegedly discovered Culver to be in possession of carabiner—an ovular steel clip used in rock climbing—wrapped in athletic tape.

Because of the appearance and presentation of the carabiner, authorities said they believed Culver to be carrying it for the purpose of using it as a makeshift brass knuckles. Also allegedly found on Culver's person was a pack of cigarettes with a chemical smell that authorities identified as being laced with a hallucinogen possibly PCP. 

Culver was charged with possession of a hallucinogen and carrying a dangerous weapon. Culver were held on $5,000 bond and scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 8, 2012.

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Other Arrests

Albert Brandon Davidson, 24, of Hackett Cir. S., was charged Thursday morning with violation of probation.

Nicholas Giorgio Gismondi, 20, of Rush Pl. in Oyster Bay, NY, was charged early Thursday morning with second-degree breach of peace (threatening).

Akeem Hosten, 28, of Myano Ln., was charged Wednesday afternoon with possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance withint 1500 feet of a school or day care and sale of a controlled substance. 

Arsenio Jimenez, 26, of Spruce St., was charged Wednesday night with second-degree failure to appear.

James McCourt, 24, of Durant St., was charged early Thursday morning with disorderly conduct and third-degree criminal mischief.

Shanika Shaenta Mitchell, 27, of Ludlow St., was charged early Thursday morning with illegal possession of exploding fireworks, improper rear marker lamps, illegal use of tinted glass and possession of marijuana.

Mary I. Paragarino, 44, of Limerick St., was charged Wednesday afternoon with sixth-degree larceny.

Edwin Alexander Recinos, 25, of Harbor St., was charged with fifth-degree larceny (vehicle parts) and two counts illegal alteration of a motor vehicle identification number.

Luis Rodriguez, 21, of Vernon Pl., was charged Wednesday night with possession of a hallucinogen, sale of a controlled substance and operation of a drug factory.

Richard Shapter, 51, of Jessenda Cir. in Lakeland, Fla., was charged Wednesday afternoon with two counts each of issuing a bad check between $500-$1,000, third-degree larceny and first-degree larceny.

Leonel Alberto Vasquez, 39, of Van Buskirk Ave., was charged Wednesday afternoon with violation of a home improvement contract request.