Five teens accused of holding a person up at gunpoint in Corbin's Corner in West Hartford and stealing a cell phone on Thursday night have been arrested and police said they are suspected of a similar robbery in Farmington as well.
West Hartford police responded to the parking lot of the Verizon Wireless store at 1479 New Britain Avenue, a popular shopping center with several restaurants as well as shops, just after 9:30 p.m. to investigate an armed robbery.
The victim said he was in his vehicle waiting to pick up his friend, a Verizon employee, with the employee's infant in his car, Lt. Stoneburner said. The victim said he was playing with his new iPhone when a man with gun approached him and demanded money and his cellular phone.
The victim said he gave the robber his iPhone and obtained a partial license plate -- 7757.
A similar robbery was reported in Farmington soon after and police found a vehicle with the license plate GO7757. They followed it into West Hartford and stopped the vehicle on South Main Street.
The car was stolen, according to police, and they found items stolen during the two robberies and two hand guns inside of it.
Officers took five suspects into custody, including two adults and three juveniles.
Police charged Samuel Lopez, 18, of Waterbury, with first-degree robbery and conspiracy, first-degree larceny, second-degree larceny and conspiracy, two counts of weapons in a motor vehicle, theft of a firearm, altering a serial number of a firearm, engaging in pursuit, reckless driving and misuse of plates.
Trevon Henderson, 19, of Waterbury, was charged with first-degree robbery and conspiracy, first-degree larceny, second-degree larceny and conspiracy, two counts of weapons in a motor vehicle, theft of a firearm and altering a serial number of a firearm.
Bond for Lopez was set at $500,00, while bond for Henderson was set at $275,000.
A public defender was appointed for both defendants and they are due back in court on March 15.
The juveniles were charged and turned over to juvenile court.
Farmington police will be filing charges as well in connection with an armed robbery at the Cumberland Farms at 352 Scott Swamp Road at 9:48 p.m. on Thursday.
Police said one of the men robbed a woman at gunpoint as she was pumping gas.
Police found the a car with a matching description in the lot at the Exxon station at 6 Colt Highway, but the driver fled and was stopped in West Hartford.
Farmington police ask anyone with information about the case to call (860) 675-2400
