Stolen Wallingford Vehicle Used In Armed Robberies In Hamden: PD

HAMDEN, CT — Five people have been arrested in connection with the armed robberies of two stores in Hamden early Sunday morning, according to police.

The suspects – four 18-year-olds and one 17-year-old – were apprehended after a pursuit that started in Woodbridge and went through several towns before ending in Hamden. The suspects were in a vehicle that had been reported stolen out of Wallingford, according to Hamden Police Capt. Ronald Smith.

The situation began unfolding around 1:15 a.m. when police responded to the Citgo Gas Station at 1978 State St. in Hamden on the report of an armed robbery, according to Smith.

Three gunmen approached two store employees as they were emptying the trash. They ordered the employees back into the store and demanded money, Smith said.

Smith said two of the gunmen “placed the barrel of their handguns to the head of one of the employees, as he emptied the cash drawer.” The three gunmen, who were wearing masks, then ran toward Franklin Road.

About 40 minutes later, police responded to Krauszer’s Food Store at 2008 Whitney Ave. in Hamden on the report of an armed robbery.

Police found that three gunmen entered the store with “guns drawn,” according to Smith. They forced all of the employees to the rear of the store, while demanding money. One of the employees was placed in a headlock with a gun pointed at his head, Smith said. The three gunmen left in a vehicle with an undisclosed amount of money, according to Smith.

Officer Eric Hallstrom got on Route 15 South to try and find the suspect’s vehicle. He eventually found the vehicle parked in front of Phillips 66 Gas Station at 1655 Litchfield Turnpike in Woodbridge.

Smith said the driver apparently saw the Hamden police cruiser and “cut in front of Officer Hallstrom, nearly colliding with his cruiser.”

A pursuit began on Route 15 South in Woodbridge and continued into Orange, West Haven and New Haven. The vehicle, which was stolen in Wallingford the previous day, eventually stopped in Hamden at the intersection of Winchester Avenue and Goodrich Street, according to Smith.

Five people ran out of the vehicle into nearby yards, Smith said.

Hamden police, with the assistance of the New Haven Police Department, found and arrested the five suspects. One of them, Justice Bryant, was found hiding in a garage on Lander Street and was in the possession of a gun, Smith said.

Sgt. Jason Venditto and his K-9 partner Knight found three guns that were hidden under snow, according to Smith.

Bryant, 18, of Shepard Street in New Haven, was charged with two counts of first-degree robbery, two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, two counts of carrying a pistol without a permit and two counts of illegal alteration of a firearm. He was held in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

Frankie Tyson, 18, of State Street in Hamden, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, first-degree larceny, engaging an officer in pursuit and reckless driving. He was held in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

Mekhi Phelmetta, 18, of Whitney Avenue in Hamden, was charged with two counts of first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery and two counts of carrying a pistol without a permit. He was held in lieu of a $500,000 bond.

Timaree Fields, 18, of Del Rio Drive in New Haven, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery. He was held in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

A 17-year-old New Haven resident was charged with two counts of first-degree robbery, two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery and two counts of carrying a pistol without a permit. He was remanded to the custody of the Juvenile Detention Center in Bridgeport.

Bryant, Tyson, Phelmetta and Fields are scheduled to appear at Meriden Superior Court on April 5.

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