Milford Police Arrest ‘Backpage Bandit' Accused in Hotel Robbery

Milford police have arrested a man dubbed the “Backpage Bandit,” who is accused in violent robberies of women in local hotel and motel rooms.

Police said that Jonathan Arzu, 23, of Bridgeport, forced his way into a hotel room with two acquaintances in May and demanded property from a female victim inside the room. When the victim resisted, Arzu allegedly pistol-whipped her with a handgun then ransacked the hotel room and stole money, a purse and a wallet.

Arzu was identified as a suspect through DNA at the scene and by the victim, police said.

He is charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, larceny, conspiracy to commit larceny, and reckless endangerment.

This is the second time Arzu has been arrested for this type of crime. He is accused of entering a hotel room in July and tying up a female victim with the phone cord, then robbing her while holding a knife to her throat. He has been dubbed the “Backpage Bandit” because his victims offered services through Backpage.com, police said.

Arzu was arrested Tuesday, held on a $100,000 bond and arraigned Tuesday. He is next scheduled in court on November 22. 

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