Date: January 7, 2021
Re: Suspicious Person Woodland Park
Issued by: Captain Jeremiah P. Marron Jr.
On January 6, 2021 at approximately 12:00pm, the Darien Police Department received a report that a white male had entered Woodland Park in the area of Hazel St. and was carrying a firearm. Per the Town of Darien Parks Rules and Regulations, no unauthorized person in any park shall use, carry or possess firearms. Officers responded to the area in an attempt to make contact with the subject. As officers entered Woodland Park they observed a white male armed with a rifle. From a distance of approximately 30 yards, officers instructed the subject to place the rifle on the ground. The subject initially complied by placing the rifle on the ground however as officers began to approach, he abruptly again picked up the rifle and ran further into a heavily wooded area. Officers lost sight of the subject but continued to search the area. Several other officers arrived on scene and after about 10 minutes, the subject was located in a wooded area of a Colony Rd. property. He was then detained but was unarmed at the time. The subject remained uncooperative and would not specifically tell officers where he secreted the rifle. He was then placed under arrest and transported to headquarters.
Numerous officers and a Connecticut State Police K-9 then began to search Woodland Park for the rifle. After approximately one hour, the Police K-9 alerted to a specific area and the rifle was then located. It was determined to be an air rifle.
The subject taken into custody was identified as Peter McMaster DOB 8/8/2000 of 11 Robinson St. Darien. During processing, McMaster told officers that he was going into the park for target practice and he did have a paper target in his possession. McMaster was charged with Interfering with an Officer and Violation of a Town Ordinance. He was released on a promise to appear in court on January 20, 2020.