WILLIMANTIC — A man from Willimantic was arrested after police said they found him behind a firehouse in Chaplin.

Troop D received a 911 call from the Chaplin Fire Department after they said they saw a disheveled man wearing no shoes run into the firehouse and create a disturbance. The caller reported the male was aggressive toward fire department members. Chaplin residents were also voting at the building during the incident.

The male reportedly asked for a ride home and then fled on foot from the Chaplin Fire House.

When troopers arrived at the scene, they patrolled the area and found a vehicle abandoned on Route 198 before the intersection of Route 6. According to the police report, the vehicle had minor damage consistent with sideswiping on both the right and left sides.

Troopers said the vehicle appeared to have traveled on the wrong side of Route 198 for a brief period and eventually became disabled in the northbound lanes.

After locating the vehicles, Troopers found minor damage to a guardrail fence and notified DOT. Troopers found the vehicle unoccupied and requested a canine to the scene.

The vehicle was a 1997 Toyota Avalon with registration BP74829, registered to 30-year-old David Pinedo of Willimantic. Troopers also learned that Pinedo had a suspended Connecticut driver’s license.

Trooper Ryan Mara and K9 Kash came on the scene to assist with the investigation, and the search of the vehicle revealed a kitchen knife on the front passenger seat in plain view. During the search, troopers also found a wallet on the floor of the driver’s seat, which belonged to Pinedo.

Troopers conducted a wanted-person search, and K9 Kash found Pinedo about 1.2 miles north of the vehicle in a wooded area behind the Chaplin Fire House. Troopers found him in a large area of prickles and thorns.

According to troopers, they found Pinedo lying on the ground in the wooded area and he appeared to be sleeping.

Pinedo was placed under arrest and was charged with breach of peace in the second degree, interfering with an officer, illegal operation of a motor vehicle under suspension, evading responsibility with injury/property damage and failure to drive in a proper lane.

According to court records, Pinedo is scheduled to appear back in court on December 21.

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