A 29-year-old Bristol man was arrested early Sunday morning in front of his home after allegedly driving under the influence and firing a loaded pistol while traveling along Hope Street.

Corey A. Coelho, of 25 Naomi St., was charged with five offenses, including DUI, carrying a weapon while intoxicated, carrying a pistol without a permit, firing across a highway and refusal to submit to a chemical test. He was processed at the Bristol station between 2 and 4 a.m. and brought to the ACI before dawn.

The incident began at approximately 1:18 a.m. on Aug. 29, when Patrolman Derek Jensen was driving an unmarked vehicle north along Hope Street. According to his report, he was driving directly behind Mr. Coelho’s grey Lexus, which was traveling about 60 miles per hour.

The officer followed the car as it turned right onto Chestnut Street and then left onto Naomi Street. Both the Lexus and the officer stopped when they pulled into the driveway along Naomi Street. According to the report, the officer then watched the driver toss a black object that looked to be a handgun out of the driver’s side window. He called the station for backup.

Mr. Coelho got out of the car and the officer directed him to turn around and put his hands on the car. According to the report, Mr. Coelho admitted he had done something wrong and said, “just cuff me.” He complied with directions throughout the arrest.

Patrolman Jensen searched the lawn and found a Glock 17 9mm handgun with 13 rounds.

During questioning at the scene, Mr. Coelho allegedly told police that he had fired one bullet into the air while driving along Hope Street as a “warning shot,” but he did not clarify what he was shooting at or why. He told officers that he did not shoot at anyone in particular and believed he had not shot anyone mistakenly. He did not know the exact location he had fired the gun. Police had not received any calls about shots fired in the downtown area.

Mr. Coelho told police he had purchased the gun legally but he did not have a permit to carry it.

Patrolman Joseph Celio and Sgt. Kyle Batista arrived at the scene and helped Patrolman Jensen with the investigation and arrest. They found a spent shell casing on the driver’s side seat inside the Lexus, along with a cup in the center console containing an alcoholic beverage. They also found a small amount (about 1 gram) of marijuana.

At the scene, Mr. Coelho agreed to submit to a preliminary breath test, which showed a blood alcohol reading of .171. He later refused a test at the station.

During questioning at the station, Mr. Coelho told officers that he had been drinking beer with friends earlier in the night. He was arraigned by a justice of the peace at 3:42 a.m., was issued a $50,000 surety and was transported to the ACI.