By Hoa Nguyen and Jonathan Bandler

A man was shot in Pelham Wednesday morning

Village police invesitgating shooting.

PELHAM An off-duty New York City police officer from Yonkers accused of firing at least 13 shots at a car for no apparent reason and striking a New Rochelle man six times will appear in Pelham court Thursday night.

Officer Brendan Cronin, who was still in the Westchester County jail Thursday because he did not make bail, is scheduled to appear in court at 6 p.m.

Cronin shot the victim, identified as 47-year-old Joseph Felice, six times, according to court papers. The victim was shot in the upper arm, thumb and twice in the chest. He needed surgery.

Cronin is accused of firing from inside his own vehicle late Tuesday using his Glock 9 mm service handgun in an incident that Pelham Police Chief Joseph Benefico described as "bizarre."

"It seems to be completely random," the chief said. "We have nothing to link either party to each other. No road rage. Nothing right now."

Cronin, 27, a six-year police veteran who works in the 46th Precinct in the Bronx, was sent to the Westchester County jail on $150,000 cash bail or $250,000 bond after a closed-door arraignment on a felony assault charge.

Pelham police said the incident remains under investigation, including whether alcohol or drugs may have been factors. Cronin refused to take a breath test and has been quiet while in custody, declining to answer questions from investigators, Benefico said.

The victim, a 47-year-old New Rochelle man, was on his way home from work when the vehicle in which he was a passenger stopped for a traffic light at Lincoln and Sixth avenues about 11:55 p.m., officials said.

The victim heard popping sounds that police said came from Cronin, who was in his vehicle, parked on the side of the road. The victim told the driver he had been shot and the two immediately drove to Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital, where the victim was admitted to the intensive care unit, underwent surgery and was in stable condition, police said.

Police were alerted to the incident by a resident who also heard the popping sounds. Pelham Police Officer Ryan Carden, who was nearby at the time, turned onto Lincoln Avenue and spotted Cronin's vehicle heading east with its hazard lights on. Carden attempted to stop the vehicle but it wasn't until the intersection of Lincoln and Glenwood avenues in New Rochelle that Cronin complied, police said.

Carden was using his police radio to call in his location when he noticed Cronin pointing his Glock out the driver-side window. Carden got out of his patrol car, drew his gun and ordered Cronin to throw the Glock out the window several times before Cronin complied and was taken into custody, officials said.

Cronin's lawyer, Pierre Sussman, declined to comment on the incident as did four of Cronin's relatives — two women and an older couple — who arrived early Wednesday evening for his arraignment.

Although arraignments are supposed to be open to the public, Pelham court officials appeared to have treated Cronin differently. A court clerk refused to allow a reporter from The Journal News into the courtroom, saying only Cronin's relatives were permitted inside. The two judges who handle arraignments in Pelham did not return messages seeking comment.

David Bookstaver, a spokesman for the state Office of Court Administration, said court personnel were out of line.

"Arraignments are public proceedings and not conducted simply for family members," he said.

During the proceedings, which were viewable through a small window, Cronin's four relatives were allowed contact with him. One by one, under the observation of Pelham police officers, each approached Cronin and either hugged him or gave him a kiss as he stood with his hands cuffed in front of his body.

New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton suggested to reporters earlier in the afternoon that the officer had been drinking prior to the shooting.

"I personally am very disturbed about the number of incidents in recent weeks that are part of a longer-term problem of inappropriate use of alcohol by members of the department," he said, according to published reports.

Benefico, Pelham's police chief, said that investigators don't believe Cronin spent much time in Pelham prior to the shooting and that he likely drove there after exiting the Hutchinson Parkway.

A week ago, NYPD Detective Jay Poggi accidentally shot his partner in the wrist while displaying his handgun after the two had been drinking while on duty.

Staff writer Will David contributed information for this report.