Man Charged With Exploding Aerial Fireworks In Fairfield In Broad Daylight

FAIRFIELD, Conn. - A Fairfield police officer who heard a loud bang while on patrol at 1:45 p.m. Thursday determined that a man had set off a large aerial firework in the middle of the afternoon, police said.

Photo Credit: *Alissa Smith, file photo*

by Alissa Smith

04/25/2014 4:30 p.m.

When the officer arrived at the Penfield Service Center off the Post Road, he found two men packing a large launch pad for aerial fireworks into the trunk of a car and determined that they had set off the firework, police said.

Richard Benevides, 48, of Bridgeport, told the officer that he had lighted the firework and that it had been his idea, police said. The officer found three additional large fireworks in the car, police said.

No reason was given in the police report for shooting off the firework in the middle of the afternoon.

Benevides was charged with use and possession of fireworks and was released by police on a written promise to appear in court on May 6.

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