Cops: Stratford Man Threatened to Kill 'the Bikers'

A 46-year-old Stratford man said he was going to murder "the bikers" after he was arrested for an incident outside Hard's Corner Tavern early Sunday, police said.

Darren Connolly of Main Street reportedly made the statement at Stratford Police Headquarters, where he was charged with second-degree breach of peace, interfering with an officer and carrying a dangerous weapon.

Police said they were called to the area of Stratford Avenue and Main Street at around 12:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. When they arrived, officers said Connolly was yelling and pacing in the middle of the road outside Hard's Corner Tavern.

The Stratford man had his right hand hidden in a jacket pocket, police said, and when asked to remove it, he refused, yelling he didn't do anything.

Connolly continued to pace and yell until police forced him to the ground, at which point they discovered a large kitchen knife in the jacket pocket where Connolly was hiding his hand, police said.

The knife had an 8-inch blade and a 4.75-inch handle, police said.

According to court documents, Connolly has twice pleaded guilty to third-degree assault charges, once in 2005 and again in 2011. Stratford police said in their report that Connolly has been arrested before for murder, first-degree manslaughter, assault and burglary.

At headquarters, Connolly allegedly told police that bikers in the area tried to attack him. Police said the Stratford man then told them he was going to murder those bikers.

Connolly posted $5,000 bond and is due in court Dec. 12.