Two people from Texas were arrested by Norwalk officers for illegally possessing a weapon without a permit.
Denver Lorentz, 20, of Lufkin, Texas,is facing charges of carrying a pistol without a permit, and two counts of illegal possession of a large capacity magazine, police said. His bond was $50,000, according to the Norwalk Police Department. Crystal Beadle, 38, of Humble, Texas, has been charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, and two counts of illegal possession of a large capacity magazine, police said. Her bond was set at $50,000.
Early Friday morning, around 12:10 a.m., a Norwalk police officer conducting routine patrol in the rear parking lot of 650 Main Ave. said he saw a suspicious vehicle parked near industrial machinery, police said. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer said he observed a man lying face down on the ground next to the vehicle. A silver-and-black handgun was also allegedly observed on the ground within the man’s immediate reach. Two additional people were found sleeping inside the vehicle, according to police.
Lorentz allegedly told officers that the group was traveling from Maine to Texas and had stopped at the location to rest.
Additional officers responded to the scene, and Lorentz was detained pending investigation, police said.
Lorentz allegedly told officers that the firearm belonged to Beadle, according to police. Beadle allegedly said that she owned the firearm and that she had purchased it in Texas. She also allegedly told police she allowed Lorentz to carry the weapon because she did not believe she would be able to use it if necessary.
An illegal extended magazine for the gun was allegedly also found in the vehicle, police said.
Lorentz and Beadle are scheduled to appear in court on June 5, according to police.
Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com