Judicial Marshals Threatened At Waterbury Courthouse: State Police

WATERBURY, CT — A Meriden man is accused of threatening judicial marshals Wednesday after he set off the metal detector at the entrance of Superior Court.

Jose Torrez, 30, of Hanover Street, Meriden, was charged with first-degree threatening, second-degree breach of peace, interfering with an officer, illegal possession of a weapon, and criminal possession of a pistol/revolver.

The incident happened around 11 a.m. Wednesday at the 400 Grand St. courthouse.

Before entering the courthouse, the public must go through security, which includes metal detectors. Torrez set off a metal detector, and the marshals instructed him to empty his pockets, according to police.

Police claim Torrez refused to comply and then verbally threatened the marshals.

Marshals reported to investigators that Torrez left, saying he was going to come back with something for them. Torrez went to a vehicle parked outside, then approached the courthouse to re-enter. This time, he was wearing a black face mask and carrying a satchel around his chest, state police said.

Marshals stopped Torrez at the door, and Waterbury police arrived. Torrez then fled on foot, but Waterbury police apprehended him after a chase, according to police.

As he was fleeing, police saw Torrez toss something, which turned out to be a loaded 9mm pistol with a live round in the chamber and nine additional rounds in the magazine, according to state police. Police said they found a single live 9mm bullet inside Torrez’s satchel.

Torrez is ineligible to possess a firearm due to his status as a convicted felon, police said.

State police at Troop I in Bethany and Watertown police both had active arrest warrants for Torrez. Troop I additionally charged him with second-degree breach of peace and second-degree threatening for the unrelated warrant.

Torrez was held overnight on $2 million bond and was scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Waterbury on Thursday.