Hamden Pawn Shop Owner Facing Gun Charges

When police responded to the report of a robbery last month at a Dixwell Avenue pawn shop, it was more than just the robbers who ended up behind bard.

Hamden Police wee called to Pawn Paradise at 1194 Dixwell Ave. on Jan. 23 on the report of a robbery, according to police spoksman Capt. Ronald Smith.

While they were investigating, officers noticd to loadd sawed-off shotguns in teh area of the counter, Smith said. The guns, inside of make-shift holsters, had their stocks altered, Smith said. After investigating, the officers determined that the guns belonged to Pawn Paradise co-owner Craig McCarthy, 49, of 35 Meadow View Drive, North Haven.

Detective Angelo DeLieto submitted an arrest warrant application for McCarthy tothe court, which was approved, Smith said, and on Wednesday McCarthy turned himself in at police headquarters.

McCarthy was charged with two counts of possession of a shotgun/silencer. He was released after posting a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on Feb. 19.