NEWS RELEASE
Date: February 8, 2021
Contact: Captain Ronald Smith
Phone: (203) 230-4029
PIO#: 21-21
On February 7, 2021 at 1:14a.m. Hamden Police responded to Citgo Gas Station, 1978 State Street on the report of an armed robbery.
Investigation revealed that three armed gunmen, approached two store employees, as they were emptying the trash. They ordered the employees back into the store and demanded money. 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 armed, masked individuals fled on foot towards Franklin Road.
Forty minutes thereafter, Hamden Police responded to Krauszer’s Food Store, 2008 Whitney Avenue, Hamden on the report of an armed robbery.
Officers learned that three armed gunmen entered the store with “guns drawn.” 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. The three individuals fled in a vehicle, with an undisclosed amount of money.
Officer Eric Hallstrom proceeded to travel southbound on Route 15 in an attempt to locate the suspect’s vehicle. He subsequently observed their vehicle, parked in front of Phillips 66 Gas Station, 1655 Litchfield Turnpike, Woodbridge. The operator of the vehicle appeared to observe the Hamden Police vehicle and proceeded to “cut in front of Officer Hallstrom, nearly colliding with his cruiser.” A pursuit commenced southbound on Route 15 in Woodbridge. The pursuit continued into Orange, West Haven and New Haven. The suspect’s vehicle, which was stolen in Wallingford a day earlier, eventually stopped in Hamden, at the intersection of Winchester Avenue and Goodrich Street. Five occupants fled from the vehicle into nearby yards.
Hamden Police, with the assistance of the New Haven Police Department, located and arrested the five individuals. One of the individuals, Justice Bryant, was found hiding in a garage on Lander Street. He was in the possession of a firearm.
Sergeant Jason Venditto and his K-9 partner “Knight” conducted an evidence recovery search and located three firearms that were hidden under snow.
Hamden Police arrested the following individuals:
Justice Bryant, 18, of 43 Shepard Street, New Haven. He was charged with Robbery in the 1st Degree (2 counts), Conspiracy to Commit Robbery in the 1st Degree (2 counts), Carrying a Pistol without a Permit (2 counts) and Illegal Alteration of a Firearm (2 counts). He was detained on a $100,000.00 bond.
Frankie Tyson, 18, of 2390 State Street, Hamden. He was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Robbery in the 1st Degree (2 counts), Larceny in the 1st Degree, Engaging an Officer in Pursuit and Reckless Driving. He was detained on a $100,000.00 bond.
Mekhi Phelmetta, 18, of Whitney Avenue, Hamden. He was charged with Robbery in the 1st Degree (2 counts), Conspiracy to Commit Robbery in the 1st Degree and Carrying a Pistol without a Permit (2 counts). He was detained on a $500,000.00 bond.
Timaree Fields, 18, of 35 Del Rio Drive, New Haven. He was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Robbery in the 1st Degree (2 counts). He was detained on a $100,000.00 bond.
A 17-year-old New Haven resident. He was charged with Robbery in the 1st Degree (2 counts), Conspiracy to Commit Robbery in the 1st Degree (2 counts) and Carrying a Pistol without a Permit (2 counts). The juvenile 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 5th.
