Man arrested in connection with Pennsylvania injunction prohibiting him from possessing firearm

An Orlando man was arrested for illegally obtaining a firearm and losing it after hiding the gun in the bushes of a Clermont neighborhood. 

Deputies responded to a verbal altercation on 2032 Kiwi Trail in Clermont at around 12:33 p.m. Monday, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. 

Upon arrival, the deputies spoke with 32-year-old Carlos Piontek who advised that he got into a verbal altercation with his ex-girlfriend. He tried to grab all his belongings from the residence to leave peacefully. While doing so, he grabbed a green camouflage backpack and his .22 caliber long rifle with a loaded magazine and carried it outside, the report said. 

While walking down the street, Piontek decided to hide the ammunition and firearm in front of 2112 Kiwi Trail in the bushes to keep his ex-girlfriend away from it. He then called a Lyft to a rental car facility where he obtained a rental car and drove it back to the residence. He returned to the bushes but noticed the firearm and backpack were missing. At the time, he assumed his ex-girlfriend took the gun, the report said. 

After speaking with Piontek, the deputy obtained his license. He was then informed that Piontek held an active injunction in Pennsylvania prohibiting him from possessing a firearm. While speaking with Piontek, he continued to admit that he tried to hide the gun in the bushes. He also stated he knew he had an injunction, but he spoke with the protected person who advised she would remove it, the report said. 

The report noted that deputies on scene were not able to find the firearm. At the time they received the call, it was around when school would be let out. It was also known that children live in the neighborhood. The area where the gun was hidden was about 10 feet from the sidewalk, the report said. 

Piontek was subsequently arrested on charges of violation of injunction (possession of firearm/ammo) and safe storage of firearm required. The New Jersey native was transported to the Lake County Jail and released after posting $1,500 bond.