Two men have been charged in connection with six recent armed robberies across Willimantic, and police say they were caught red-handed while targeting a gas station this morning.
Bryant Jefferson, 27, and his alleged accomplice, Tim Perry, 42, were arrested while trying to rob the A-1 gas station at 1605 West Main Street in Willimantic around 9:20 a.m. Thursday, according to police.
Police said Jefferson went after the gas station attendant with a hammer, then fled and were seen running through backyards in the neighborhood. Authorities chased him on foot and eventually took him into custody.
Meanwhile, Perry got into a car and drove home. Officers and detectives captured him at his home on Emerald Avenue, according to police.
The nearby Willimantic Middle School and Sweeney Elementary School were placed on lockdown as a precaution while police responded to the incident.
Jefferson and Perry have been linked to six armed robberies in Willimantic since Aug. 15, according to police.
"There have been countless man hours used leading to these two arrests," police said in a news release Thursday evening.
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Jefferson was charged with second-degree robbery, sixth-degree larceny, breach of peace, interfering with police and second-degree threatening. His bond was set at $500,000.
Perry was charged with conspiracy to commit the above charges. His bond was also set at $500,000.
