Police: man pulls gun on person, crashes car after cutting off ankle bracelet

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - A Connecticut man has been arrested after crashing a car while in possession of a loaded gun near MGM Springfield Friday night.

Springfield Police said they were informed of a crash at the median between MGM Way and State Street around 8:45 p.m. The driver, 33-year-old Steven Houser of Rockville, CT, nearly hit a group of people and attempted to flee.

An off-duty West Springfield officer in the area stopped Houser until Springfield Police arrived, during which a bystander saw and was able to remover a gun from Houser’s waistband.

Police said a victim then arrived and claimed that Houser pointed a gun at him at Riverfront Park. In fear of getting shot, the victim hit Houser and fled. It was then that Houser pursued him, which led to the initial crash.

Police also learned that Houser, who was on probation in Connecticut, had cut off his court-ordered ankle bracelet earlier in the day.

Houser was sent to the hospital for treatment after the crash and now faces several charges including attempt to commit a crime (firearm-armed carjacking), carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.