Police have named a person of interest in the murder of a convenience store clerk earlier this week. Authorities are looking for Frankie Resto who may live in either Meriden or New Britain.
Ibrahim Ghazal was killed during a robbery at the EZ Mart at 271 East Main St. in Meriden around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
Authorities also released surveillance video of the crime, moments before the victim was gunned down.
In the surveillance video released by police, the robber walks in and pulls out a gun. Then, you see the store clerk handing money over, before the robber points the gun.
The video cuts off after that, but we know how the situation ended; the store clerk, Ibrahim Ghazal, was pronounced dead from gunshot wounds.
Ibrahim Ghazal was a father of six and lived in the neighborhood.
"Now I hope they find him because I loved that man," Rachel Simoneau said. "He gave things free to some people who had no money and they went in there and he'd give them soda."
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Neighbors near the crime scene said Resto looks like he could be someone from the area.
“He looks familiar, but I don’t know who he is,” said Maria Zavaglia.
“He looks sick. He looks familiar. I don’t know if I know him,” said Robert Rodriguez.
However, another convenience store owner in Meriden said he had a close encounter with Resto.
“This is the guy who robbed me,” said Jamal Haider.
Haider told NBC Connecticut he was held at gunpoint late last month.
“As soon as I stepped out and…go to my car, he’s the one that came with the gun and robbed me,” added Haider.
A local businessman who wishes to remain anonymous has offered a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual who committed the crime.
Police said the reward will be given to the individual who provides the most significant, relevant input about the suspect and his location.
Resto has a violent criminal history and should be considered armed and dangerous. He is 5-foot-9, with a husky build. He is 36 -years-old and has clean-cut, dark hair and "bulging" eyes. He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt with lettering on it, gray or tan shorts and sneakers.
Anyone with information regarding the incident or knows where he is should call Det. Benoit of the Meriden Police Department at 203-630-6297.
