Man, Teen, Accused in Middletown Robbery
A 23-year old man and a 17-year-old were arrested, accused of a hold-up at Liberty Check Cashing, 548 Main Street, in Middletown on Monday at just after 11 a.m. Witnesses reported that two men wearing hoodies left on foot after conducting an armed robbery at that location. Police found the suspects on Ferry Street and chased them to Portland Street, police said. Lazaro Jimenez, of no certain address, and the Middletown teen will be charged with robbery and conspiracy to commit Robbery, police said.
Agency Won't Pay for Teen's Funeral
A state agency that helps crime victims said it will not pay for a murdered Norwalk teen's funeral because he was partly responsible for his own death. Tykwan Hunt, 17, was stabbed to death last January when a party attended by 75 to 100 youths erupted into a brawl on Main Street in Norwalk. Hunt was stabbed after he threatened his accused killer with a handgun, police said. The state Office of Victim Services has denied an appeal by Hunt's family to reconsider an earlier rejection of their request for nearly $3,7000 for the funeral expenses. The Hunts' lawyer said he disagrees with the decision. The family can appeal to state Superior Court. Amos Brown, 17, of Norwalk is charged with murder in Hunt's death.
Jury Debates Cold Case
Deliberations resumed Monday in the case of a former Meriden man accused of hiring hit men who killed three people in Windsor Locks five years ago. The 12 jurors are scheduled to return to Hartford Superior Court in the case of Benedetto Cipriani. They started deliberations on Thursday afternoon and had Friday off because of the snowstorm. Cipriani, 53, faces a possible life prison sentence on murder conspiracy and accessory charges. He's accused of hiring three other men to kill auto shop owner Robert Stears. Police said Cipriani had an affair with Stears' wife, and he became angry when she refused to leave her husband. Stears, his business partner Barry Rossi, and mechanic Lorne Stevens were found shot to death at B&B Automotive in 2003.
Reward Offered in Waterbury Murder
Waterbury police are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the death of an elderly woman. Laura Orso was found Saturday in her apartment on Wesley Street. A friend found Orso's body when she stopped by to check on her. Police believe the 85-year-old was killed Thursday night during a robbery. The chief medical examiner determined she died from multiple stab wounds. Police said there were signs of a struggle, but there was no evidence of a forced entry. Investigators believe Orso opened the door for her attacker.
Lawsuit Filed in Deadly Fire
A Waterbury woman whose mother died in a 2007 fire is suing the fire department and the man charged with starting the fire. Gaytrie Seegolam, 45, died in a fire at the Bradley Gardens Condo Complex. Her daughter said firefighters did not enter the building as quickly as they should have. Authorities said Michael San Angelo started the fire when he passed out with a lit cigarette in his hand. He has pleaded not guilty.
Woman Charged for Sending Ex an "Explosive" Holiday Gift
A Bristol woman appeared in court Monday for the contents of a Christmas gift she sent to her ex-boyfriend. Emanuela Darragjati, 26, of Bristol, is charged with breach of peace and harassment. Her ex-boyfriend went to the Bristol police department after receiving the gift. He was concerned over a card that mentioned something about an "exploding grenade," according to police. Police, along with the Hartford Bomb Squad, examined the "grenade" in a parking lot across the street, but found nothing that either was an explosive or imitated something that was. The ex-girlfriend said she sent the male a "holiday gift" and used certain words as a "metaphor," according to police.
