Connecticut state police arrested a heavily-armed man on charges he impersonated an officer in Old Lyme on Thursday, and police in Wolcott said the suspect is the brother of former U.S. Senator Scott Brown.
Old Lyme police and state police troopers responded to the Point O' Woods Beach community just before 6:30 p.m. after a caller reported a man was walking on Sea View Drive wearing military-type clothes and carrying a gun. The caller told police the man had been seen earlier in the day driving a "police-type vehicle."
Officers located the vehicle at 32 Sea View Drive. According to police, the 2004 blue Ford Crown Victoria was equipped with antennae on the trunk and "hide-away" lights.
After speaking with several people at the home, police determined the car belonged to Bruce Browne, 47, of Wolcott. They said Browne admitted to walking on Sea View Drive wearing a black, nylon gun belt with a loaded 9-millimeter pistol in a holster.
The chief of police in Wolcott said on Friday morning that Bruce Browne is the brother of the former U.S. Senator from Massachusetts.
State police said Browne's identifying documents spelled his last name with an "e."
Troopers searched Browne's car and found three 9-millimeter handguns, a nylon duty belt with two sets of handcuffs and 12 magazines fully loaded with more than 200 bullets, according to police. A black tactical bullet-proof vest with the word "POLICE" embroidered on the front and back was also found. A silver TSA badge was attached to the vest, police said. Browne was also in possession of an expired Coast Guard ID card from when he was a member of the Coast Guard Reserve, police said.
During their investigation, authorities learned Browne had commandeered a boat earlier in the day by identifying himself as a police/Coast Guard official, according to state police. He is accused of stopping three boats off the coast of Point O' Woods and asking the operators for their registrations and boater safety certificates.
Investigators contacted both TSA and the Coast Guard and determined Browne was not affiliated with either agency.
He was arrested and charged with impersonating a police officer, breach of peace, interfering with a police officer and possession of a dangerous weapon in a motor vehicle. He was released on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to be in court on Aug. 22.
Photo Credit: State Police and NBCConnecticut.com