Police Identify Man Wanted in Willimantic Armed Robbery, Standoff

Police are searching for the armed robber who prompted an hours-long standoff and home evacuations in Willimantic overnight Sunday into Monday.

Joshua Omar Sauri, of Willimantic, is wanted in connection with the incident. Police said he was armed with a handgun at the time of the standoff and may still be armed.

According to police, Sauri robbed two women on Gem Drive in Willimantic around 10:30 p.m. Sunday. Neither woman was hurt, but police said Sauri threatened them and stole cash from one of the victims.

Officers chased Sauri to his relatives' house at 45 Gem Drive and saw him run inside, according to police, who believed Sauri had barricaded himself there.

Several homes in the area were evacuated and police issued a "shelter-in-place" order to others in the area while a SWAT team responded.

When authorities secured a search warrant for the home Monday morning, Sauri was gone. Police said he left behind a handgun that had been used during the robbery.

Police obtained an arrest warrant for Sauri on Tuesday afternoon.

"We are actively pursuing this subject with all available resources. This male was armed with a pistol when he robbed two females and he created an overnight neighborhood lock-down which forced evacuations and the response of the city SWAT team. We want him in custody," Willimantic police spokesman Cpl. Stanley Parizo Jr. said in a statement Tuesday.

Parizo said after the standoff he believed Sauri may have left the area.

Anyone with information is asked to call Willimantic police. Tips will remain confidential.

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