The half-brother of former Massachusetts US Senator Scott Brown is facing charges of impersonating a police officer in Connecticut, where police allegedly found three fully-loaded 9mm pistols and more than 200 rounds of ammunition in his Crown Victoria car, which was equipped with the type of lights used by unmarked police cars.

In a statement released this afternoon, Brown said he was not close to Bruce W. Browne, 46, who lives in Wolcott, Conn. The two men share the same father, but have different mothers, the former senator said. It was not known why the Connecticut Browne spells his name with an “e’’ at the end.


“For those of you who are asking about the news reports on my estranged half brother, I only know as much as you. I read about it in the news this morning,’’ Scott Brown said.

He added, “As you many of you know, my mom and my late father were married and divorced four times each. Unfortunately, we were not close as a family. These are serious charges and he will need to answer them. I feel badly for his children and I am thankful that no one was injured.’’

Connecticut State Police, in a statement released Thursday, said that a resident in the Point O Woods beach community in Old Lyme reported that a man dressed in “military-like clothing’’ was walking with a handgun.

Another caller told troopers the same man was seen driving a police car. Responding troopers spotted a 2004 blue Crown Victoria with police-type equipment, including the hidden lights and a small antenna on the trunk.

Troopers questioned Browne, who acknowledged the vehicle was his and also admitted walking in the beach community wearing a black nylon gun belt with a loaded 9mm pistol in the holster.

Troopers said that inside the car, in plain view, were three loaded 9mm handguns, a black nylon duty belt with 2 sets of handcuffs, and 12 fully-loaded magazines. Troopers said they found 203 bullets, including 101 hollow-point rounds, as well as a collapsible baton.


Troopers later learned that Browne had commandeered three boats after identifying himself as a “police/Coast Guard’’ official.

Police also recovered a tactical bulletproof vest with the word “POLICE’’ on it and a silver metal Transportation Security Administration badge. He had an expired Coast Guard identification card that he was issued when he was a member of the Coast Guard Reserve, police said.

Browne is charged with impersonating a police officer, breach of peace, interfering with a police officer, and possession of a dangerous weapon in a motor vehicle.

Connecticut State Police have seized the firearms.

Following his arrest, Browne was released on $50,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in a New London courthouse on Aug. 22, Connecticut State Police said.