What began as a dispute over property maintenance escalated to the jailing of a Warren tow truck driver accused of vandalizing a city-owned car and a weapons violation.

According to court records and Police reports, 44-year-old Daniel Connelly was at a city Health Department hearing Wednesday to contest allegations that his property violated city maintenance codes and was threatened with being condemned.

Police Officers on duty at the meeting say Connelly hurled verbal abuse at city officials including Mayor Doug Franklin, Franklin’s wife, and daughter.

The report says Connelly threatened to sue the city and stormed out of the meeting, allegedly slamming a door into a wall, leaving a baseball-sized hole.

A city employee told officers that after Connelly left the building on Market Street, he keyed a city-owned car, scraping the paint from the driver’s side.

The following day, Police spotted a tow truck with the words “Macho Man” painted on the exterior.

Recognizing it as Connelly’s truck, an officer pulled it over on North Park Avenue.

As Connelly was being handcuffed, he told an officer that there was a gun in the truck.

Police say the Smith and Wesson pistol was loaded with 14 rounds, one of them in the chamber.

Connelly told police he carries the gun for protection when he works in Youngstown. The police report states that since Connelly has a prior assault conviction, it’s illegal for him to have a gun.

As Connelly was being taken to jail, police say he talked about his warrant for vandalism, stating "It was a city car and they are taking my house, you have to understand my situation."

While walking into the booking room Connelly admitted keying a city vehicle, according to police.

Connelly pleaded “not guilty” to charges of vandalism and improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle. He’s due back in court on June 25.