Osvaldo Rivera Charged After Stolen Gun Found in Meriden Park Investigation
MERIDEN, Conn. — A 39-year-old convicted felon, Osvaldo Rivera, is facing multiple firearm-related charges after police linked him to a stolen gun recovered during an investigation into an altercation at Hubbard Park in April.
Meriden Police Lt. Darrin McKay said officers were dispatched to Hubbard Park at 999 W. Main Street on the evening of April 14 after receiving reports of a confrontation involving a firearm. By the time officers arrived, the individuals involved had already left the scene.
Police conducted two traffic stops shortly after, targeting suspects believed to be connected to the incident. During one of the stops, officers discovered a .357 Magnum revolver hidden in the trunk of the vehicle.
Investigators later determined the firearm had been reported stolen out of Largo, Florida. Through follow-up efforts, detectives were able to link the weapon to Osvaldo Rivera, who is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions.
Rivera was arrested on September 13 and charged with:
Criminal possession of a firearm
Theft of a firearm
Carrying a pistol without a permit
He was initially held on a $75,000 bond, which a judge later reduced to $25,000 during his arraignment in Meriden Superior Court. Rivera did not immediately post bail, according to court records.
The case remains under investigation.
