Video Shows Bystander Fending Off Robbery Suspect On Greenwich Avenue

GREENWICH, CT ? A 16-second clip showing Monday's attempted robbery on Greenwich Avenue was posted to Twitter on Tuesday.

The video shows a man and a woman struggling with a male suspect in a pink hooded sweatshirt on the sidewalk on lower Greenwich Avenue.

The suspect then ran away, but was engaged by a bystander who ran to intervene from across the street. The bystander and the suspect struggled on the ground briefly, before the suspect jogged away down Grigg Street. The video appears to be recorded by onlookers from inside a nearby restaurant.

In downtown Greenwich Connecticut, a woman is robbed in broad daylight. ?@CTDems? want you disarmed and to be a victim. Republicans want to empower you and embrace your right to defend yourself. What is the plan to keep Connecticut residents safe? pic.twitter.com/sPqJqw5lT7
? Greenwich Republicans (@GreenwichRTC) July 19, 2022

Police said the incident unfolded at approximately 4:30 p.m. Monday when a woman purchased some electronics from the Apple Store on Greenwich Avenue and two men in the store then followed her to the exit.

"The two subjects then attempted to forcibly take the items that the victim had just purchased. No weapons were displayed or used. She, along with a family member that was with her, attempted to physically stop the theft," police said in a news release Monday. "A good Samaritan also came to their aid and assisted with fending off the two suspects. The two suspects gave up and were last observed running south on Greenwich Avenue and entered a silver sedan on Grigg Street."

The woman who made the purchases suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment, police said.

Police described the two suspects as tall and thin, and under the age of 30. One suspect was wearing dark clothing and the other was wearing dark pants and a pink hooded sweatshirt.

An investigation remains ongoing, and the GPD is asking anyone with information on this incident to call 203-622-8004 or use the confidential tip line at 203-622-3333/ email TIPS@greenwichct.org.

On Tuesday, First Selectman Fred Camillo submitted a letter to the editor commenting on Monday's events.

He said that while Greenwich was recently ranked as one of the safest towns in Connecticut, Monday is a reminder that Greenwich is still a target for criminal activity.

"Since the incident at the Apple store, there has been much commentary, misinformation and disrespectful comments posted on various social media platforms," Camillo said.

The Greenwich Police Department posted their news release on the incident on Facebook, and later limited comments on the post.

"I want to reassure both residents and the visiting public there is more police presence on Greenwich Avenue than ever before," Camillo added, pointing to the four-member bicycle patrol, plainclothes officers and patrol car that survey Greenwich Avenue throughout the day.

Two years ago, Camillo and the Greenwich Police Department redeployed officers after traffic cops were removed from their posts at Greenwich Avenue intersections. Both Camillo and GPD Chief James Heavey said the redeployment streamlined public safety operations in downtown Greenwich.

Camillo reiterated that point in his letter.

"This deployment of officers is considerably more than the two traffic officers assigned to two intersections for seven-hour shifts. The traffic officers could not leave their posts to respond to incidents, they were required to call in an incident," Camillo said.

"This staffing model also has been responsible for apprehending several criminals charged with various crimes. Could Monday's crime of opportunity have been prevented? This is a question that can be debated at length and, in the end, one for which we don't have an answer," Camillo added. "We are grateful that no one was seriously injured."