Officers Injured During Planned Firearms Bust: Stamford Police

STAMFORD, CT — A planned firearms bust escalated into armed robbery last week, leaving several officers injured and four people in custody, the Stamford Police Department said on Tuesday.

The incident occurred on the night of July 1, according to Capt. Richard Conkln of the SPD, after authorities in the Narcotics and Organized Crime (NOC) Unit began an illegal firearm sale investigation into Kristian Alvarez, 18, of Stamford last month.

On July 1, Conklin said Alvarez arranged a meeting in Southfield Park with a man, who is referred to as "victim" in a news release from the department. Prior to the meeting, according to the news release, NOC officers set-up physical and technological surveillance measures inside the park.

Conklin said officers observed Alvarez entering Southfield Park in a Nissan Altima with no registration plate, and that three other occupants were in the car. According to a news release, those occupants were later identified as Jahdiel Rodriguez, 18, of Norwalk; Jaylan Mathews Jones, 18, of Stamford; and Jackdelys Maldonado, 19, also of Stamford.

During the meeting, Conklin said, Alvarez pointed a gun to the victim's face and demanded his money — approximatley $800 in cash, and belongings, including a gold chain worth about $1,800, a wallet, and a cell phone valued at approximately $1,000.

Rodriguez and Jones exited the Nissan Altima, approached the victim's car, and opened the driver's side door and assisted Alvarez in the crime, Conklin said, adding that officers watched as Maldonado remained inside the Nissan "where she appeared to look around the parking lot acting in the capacity of a 'lookout.'"

After taking the victim's possessions, all three males entered the Nissan and Alvarez, who was the driver, attempted to flee the scene, Conklin said, but officers converged on the car at the same time.

"Alvarez’s vehicle collided with several police vehicles. After the initial collision, Alvarez proceeded to repeatedly ram police vehicles to continue his attempt to flee from the scene," Conklin said in a news release.

As a result, several officers were injured and damage was done to multiple police cars. Conklin said the injured officers were treated at Stamford Hospital and released.

Officers attempted to place the suspects in custody, and noticed a loaded gun with an extended magazine on Alvarez's lap, Conklin said. Verbal commands were issued and the suspects refused to comply, so officers were forced to extricate them from the vehicle, the news release said.

Conklin noted that "all four of the suspects actively resisted arrest and an extended physical confrontation ensued until they were all placed into handcuffs."

Rodriguez, Jones and Maldonado were transported to Stamford lock-up where they were charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree conspiracy at robbery, third-degree larceny, third-degree conspiracy at Larceny, and interfering with police, according to Conklin.

Alvarez was injured during the confrontation, and was transported to Stamford Hospital.

According to the news release, Alvarez was charged with first-degree robbery; first-degree conspiracy at robbery; third-degree larceny; third-degree conspiracy at larceny; interfering with police; first-degree threatening; criminal possession of a firearm; possession of a high capacity magazine; sale of a firearm; weapons in a motor vehicle; assault on a police officer; disobeying the signal of an officer; no registration; no insurance; and misuse of plates.

"Officers at the scene exercised great restraint in not using their firearms as Kristian Alvarez refused to comply and had a loaded Glock 9mm in his hands and lap during this prolonged struggle," Conklin said in a news release. "Alvarez, who is well known to this department, will be facing these serious charges as an adult as he recently turned 18."

All four were held on $350,000 cash bonds that only be made at court. The next court date is Oct. 4 2021.