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Stamford Sex Assault Suspect Arrested In Traffic Stop With Stun Gun

STAMFORD, Conn. -- A Stamford man — already facing serious sex assault-related charges — wound up with new criminal charges after a police officer found a stun gun in his vehicle after an early-morning traffic stop Tuesday, police said.

A Stamford man's traffic stop turned into criminal charges when police found a stun gun in his vehicle.

A Stamford man's traffic stop turned into criminal charges when police found a stun gun in his vehicle.

Photo Credit: Frank MacEachern

An officer who was westbound on Cove Road shortly after midnight noticed a vehicle make a left turn near Willowbrook Avenue without using turn signal, police said. The vehicle continued on Cove Road and was soon pulled over by the officer, police said. The driver produced a Washington State driver's license, police said. 

The suspect was later identified as Alex Manriquez, 38, of 91 Strawberry Hill Ave.

While the officer was standing near the vehicle, he noticed a stun gun in plain view on the rear seat within reach of the driver, Sgt. Simon Blanc said. Manriquez told police he didn't know what the object was called, but he said it was used to "zap," Blanc said.

The suspect said a friend had given him the stun gun a couple of months ago, police said. Manriquez later told police the stun gun had been in his vehicle for three to four months, an answer that conflicted with his earlier statement, police said.

Police discovered that Manriquez had been charged with sexual assault in December 2015, and there had been a protective order placed against him that prohibited him from carrying any firearms or electronic defense weapons such as a stun gun, Blanc said. 

Manriquez has been charged with forcing his way into a neighbor's apartment on Dec. 20, 2015, and sexually assaulting the woman, police said. She was able to free herself and call police. 

He is still before the court on first-degree sexual assault, first-degree unlawful restraint and first-degree burglary in the case, according to court records.

Manriquez was charged with illegal possession in a motor vehicle, carrying a dangerous weapon, failure to display lights and criminal possession of an electronic device weapon in the new case.  

He was able to post his $50,000 bond and was released later Tuesday morning. His first scheduled court date is Dec. 19.

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