Hefty Sentence Rendered For Crime Spree With Durham Ties

DURHAM, CT — A Waterbury man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison in connection with a violent armed robbery spree in several Connecticut locations, including Durham.

John H. Durham, the United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, said that Jeffrey Stokarski, 44, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 216 months of prison time, followed by five years of supervised release, for committing several violent armed robberies in late 2017 and early 2018.

Here is a simmary of his activities, according to court documents and statements made in court:

• On Dec. 27, 2017, Stokarski entered the Henny Penny located at 273 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike in Southington, pushed the sales clerk into the counter and instructed her not to touch or say anything. Stokarski opened the cash register with a screwdriver and stole approximately $289 in cash.
• Also that day, Stokarski approached a vehicle in the parking lot of the Country Cloverleaf Shell at 237 Route 81 in Killingworth, opened the driver’s door and punched the driver repeatedly in the face while demanding the driver’s wallet. During the robbery, Stokarski took from the driver an electronic cigarette worth approximately $110, a cell phone worth approximately $50, and the driver’s wallet containing approximately $90 in cash and gift cards.
• Also on Dec. 27, Stokarski entered the Krauszer’s Food Store at 459 Madison Road in Durham, placed the store clerk in a headlock, pulled out a knife and placed it on the clerk’s back, dragged the clerk over to the register and then stole approximately $3,264 in cash and store items.
• On Dec. 31, 2017, Stokarski again entered the Henny Penny at 273 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike in Southington and demanded cash from the register. The clerk complied and gave Stokarski approximately $161 in cash from the register.
• On Jan. 1, 2018, Stokarski’s associate, Stacey Borowy, drove Stokarski to the Citgo Gas Station at 199 West Street in Litchfield. After entering the store, Stokarski grabbed the clerk, pulled out a knife and placed the knife across the clerk’s neck area while demanding that the clerk give up all the money. The clerk complied and provided Stokarski with approximately $2,084 in cash. Stokarski also stole several store items worth approximately $49.
• Also on New Year's Day, Stokarski entered the Dunkin Donuts at 220 Main Street in New Hartford, pulled out a knife, jumped over the counter and, while grabbing the clerk, yelled for the clerk to open the registers. The clerk complied and gave Stokarski all of the cash from the registers.
• On Jan. 3, 2018, Borowy drove Stokarski to the Rayon Market located at 214 Edgewood Ave. in New Haven where Stokarski stole $1,400 in cash and a handgun from the clerk at knifepoint.
• Later that day, Stokarski entered the Cumberland Farms gas station at 69 Rubber Ave. in Naugatuck, walked behind the counter and demanded money. He then pulled the stolen handgun from his waist area to show the clerk he had a weapon. The clerk complied with Stokarski’s demand and opened the registers. Stokarski then stole approximately $132 in cash and approximately $536 worth of cigarettes and fled in a vehicle driven by Borowy.
• On Jan. 6, 2018, Stokarski entered the Food Land grocery store located at 250 South Colon Road in Wallingford, pulled out a knife, dragged the clerk to the register and ultimately stole approximately $2,254 in cash, while injuring the clerk in the process.
• Also on Jan. 6, Stokarski and another man entered the Mobil gas station located at 385 Watertown Avenue in Waterbury and approached the register. Stokarski went behind the register, pulled out a knife and told the cashier to get back while Stokarski pried open the register, ultimately stealing approximately $727 in cash and several cartons of cigarettes.
• On Jan. 7, 2018, Stokarski entered the Valero Fas Mart gas station at 384 Main St. in Durham, grabbed the clerk’s arm, and demanded that she open the register. He then pulled out a knife in an attempt to pry open the register himself. The clerk ultimately complied with Stokarski’s demand to open the register and Stokarski removed approximately $130 in cash.
• On Jan. 9, 2018, Stokarski entered Food Bag at 960 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike in Southington, approached the register, pulled out a knife and began to pry open the register. He then removed approximately $100 from the register and about $500 in cigarettes.

Stokarski has been detained since his arrest on Jan. 9, 2018, Durham said. On Oct. 30, 2018, he entered a guilty plea to one count of Hobbs Act Robbery and one count of using or carrying a firearm during, and in relation to, a crime of violence, Durham said.

Borowy, 39, of Farmington, pleaded guilty on Sept. 20, 2018, to aiding and abetting an armed robbery. On July 10 of this year, Judge Meyer sentenced her to 18 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release.