Stamford Teens Charged In Armed Robbery: Trumbull Police

STAMFORD, CT — Three juvenile suspects from an armed robbery in Trumbull were caught Sunday evening in Westport, after the vehicle they were in crashed on Saugatuck Avenue, according to Westport police.

In a statement, Trumbull police said the three suspects, all from Stamford, "pepper sprayed and assaulted several victims, brandished a firearm, robbed them, and attempted to steal their vehicle" at the Target store on Hawley Lane in Trumbull.

The incident began just before 5 p.m., when Trumbull police were notified of the incident.
"Responding officers located the suspects fleeing in their black Infiniti which began to weave through traffic as it attempted to elude police," said Trumbull Police Lt. Brian Weir. "The suspect vehicle fled Southbound onto Route 8/25 at a high rate of speed, before continuing Southbound on I-95."

Area police departments were notified, including police in Westport, where the vehicle was spotted traveling westbound on Greens Farms Road, according to Westport Police Lt. Jillian Cabana.

Cabana said that the vehicle continued toward Bridge Street in Westport, where police used "stop sticks" that slowly deflate tires after a vehicle drives over them.

The vehicle continued onto Saugatuck Avenue, ignoring police commands to pull over. Westport police broke off pursuit due to the "recklessness" of the suspect driving the vehicle.

"The suspect vehicle then continued southbound on Saugatuck Avenue, at times traveling southbound in the northbound lane of travel," Cabana said. "The suspect vehicle ultimately struck another uninvolved motorist on Saugatuck Avenue at the intersection of Duck Pond Road and sustained disabling damage. The three occupants fled the vehicle."

At that point, officers from the Westport and Norwalk police departments, and troopers from Connecticut State Police, converged on the area, set up a perimeter and began searching for the suspects. All three — a 16-year-old and two 17-year-olds — were caught after a brief period.

"Saugatuck Avenue was closed for a brief period while officers investigated the motor vehicle crash," Cabana said. "An eyewitness also reported that the occupants were observed discarding items from the vehicle while traveling south on Saugatuck Avenue. An area search was conducted, and a firearm was recovered."

The recovered firearm was a Glock handgun with a high-capacity magazine. Also recovered was a police baton.

The driver of the vehicle that the suspects hit suffered minor injuries in the crash, and was treated at Norwalk Hospital, according to Cabana.

Weir described what sounded like a scary scene at the Target.

"The victims told police that they were sitting in their vehicle when the Infiniti parked nearby," Weir said. The driver of the Infiniti waived a gun and approached the victim’s car. One suspect opened the victim’s rear passenger door, sprayed the inside vehicle with pepper spray, and stole their bag containing clothing and an Xbox. During this time, a second suspect opened the rear door and sprayed pepper spray as he yelled 'give me everything.' A third suspect, wearing ski goggles, was beating the victim’s car with 'a stick like a police baton' causing heavy damage. The victims were forced out of their car and the suspects assaulted and kicked the victims before they sped away in their Infiniti. Trumbull EMS was responded to the scene to evaluate the victims, but they all refused medical treatment."

Trumbull police charged the 17-year-old driver with the following:

• Robbery, 1st Degree
• Larceny, 2nd Degree
• Assault, 2nd Degree
• Threatening, 2nd Degree
• Threatening use of Firearm
• Criminal Mischief, 1st Degree
• Reckless Endangerment
• Carrying a Pistol without Permit
• Illegal Possession of High-Capacity Magazines
• Weapons in Motor Vehicle
• Interfering with an Officer
• Breach of Peace

He was also issued misdemeanor summonses for motor vehicle violations.
The 17-year-old passenger was charged with the following:

• Larceny, 2nd Degree
• Assault, 2nd Degree
• Robbery, 1st Degree
• Threatening, 2nd Degree
• Reckless Endangerment
• Criminal Mischief, 1st Degree
• Interfering with an Officer
• Breach of Peace
• Possession of Marijuana

The 16-year-old passenger, who police said was wearing the ski goggles, was charged with the following:

• Larceny, 2nd Degree
• Assault, 2nd Degree
• Robbery, 1st Degree
• Threatening, 2nd Degree
• Reckless Endangerment
• Criminal Mischief, 1st Degree
• Interfering with an Officer
• Breach of Peace

"Due to the severity of these crimes, all three (3) juvenile suspects were remanded into custody and transported to Bridgeport Juvenile Detention," and were scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Juvenile Court on Monday, according to Weir.

— By Alfred Branch, Patch Staff