Author: Alex

4:35pm–#Bridgeport CT– Three people stole a phone and gold chain off of an individual near Boston Avenue and Goddard Street. Two were males males, one with tattoos on his forearm, neck, and chest, the other had bushy hair displayed a silver handgun. The third, a female with blonde hair in a pony tail. The three all fled the scene down Boston Avenue on bikes.

 

(Bridgeport, CT – June 10, 2014) – Detectives Monday arrested a suspect in connection with a robbery and stabbing that happened over the weekend.

Detectives Art Calvao and Chris Borona investigated the attack, which left the victim with multiple stab wounds including to his head, face and chest. The victim was located in the area of Main and Lumber streets.

Officer Thomas Lattanzio later developed the identity of a possible suspect. When detectives spoke with the victim, he was able to identify the suspect, Jorge Valle, 28, from a photographic lineup.

The victim is expected to recover but suffered from multiple injuries, including a collapsed lung.

The detectives Monday went to the business where Valle worked. He was arrested without incident on charges of first-degree assault, first-degree robbery and carrying a dangerous weapon.

Bond set at $250,000.

Valle was released from incarceration four months ago and is on probation.

4:27pm–#Bridgeport CT– A man stole $75.00 off of a countertop in Carib Market, 560 Noble Avenue. The thief went as far as 651 Washington Avenue before he was detained by police.

 

(Bridgeport, CT – June 6, 2014) – Two men face charges in connection with the armed robbery of a Western Union business in February after a 10-week  investigation by city detectives.

Angelo Vinson, 54, of New York, and Joseph Smith, 42, also of New York, were arrested and appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court this week in connection with arrest warrants stemming from a February robbery in Bridgeport.

“This was a complex investigation. I can’t say enough about the work the detectives put in and the help we received from patrol officers and the U.S. Marshal’s Service,” said Capt. James Viadero, the supervisor of the detective bureau. “A lot of hours were put into this case. The investigation took us to three states.”

Detectives Jorge Cintron, Martin Heanue and Thomas Scholl investigated the Feb. 7 robbery, which happened at 8:40 a.m. at the Western Union at 2390 Main St. Two men entered the location and one requested a money order. When the employee started the transaction, both men forced open the door leading to the rear counter. The men punched and pistol whipped the employee and forced him into a back room where they bound him with duct tape.

The suspects fled with cash after the robbery was interrupted when other customers entered the business.

Detectives received a description of both suspects and their clothing. Police then checked video from businesses in the area and observed the suspects speaking with the driver of a green conversion van, , later identified as Smith,  in the area of Main and Charles streets.

Pictures of the van were distributed through the patrol division.

Two days after the robbery, Officer Kevin Cronin informed detectives that he had previously seen the van parked in the lot at 2635 Main St. That lead proved crucial.

Heanue and Cintron spoke with people at the residence, who informed police that the van’s owner was a former tenant. Detectives then spoke with the realtor for the building, who provided detectives with the name of the former tenants connected to the van.

Ultimately, detectives were able to secure additional video from the downtown train station showing the two robbers arriving on a Metro North train from the New York area the morning of the robbery. They also were able to speak with Smith, the owner of the green van, who provided some information but then became uncooperative.

During the course of the investigation, detectives visited locations in New York and Pennsylvania and gained new information that ultimately led to a positive identification from the victim of one of the suspects and the arrests.

The two men were arrested in New York and waived extradition.

“These detectives didn’t give up. They followed the leads and traveled hundreds of miles but arrived at the truth,” said Mayor Bill Finch.

Vinson was charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, unlawful restraint and second-degree larceny. His bond was set at $400,000.

Smith was charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery and conspiracy to commit second-degree larceny. He is believed to be the driver of the green van. His bond was set at $250,000.

The investigation remains ongoing. The third suspect has not yet been apprehended.

 

                                                                  Vinson                                                                  

Smith