DoingItLocal

(Bridgeport, CT – Aug 13, 2013) – A 38-year-old homeless man faces robbery charges after he attempted to grab cash from a Fairfield Avenue grocery store.

Officer Sandra Gonzalez arrived at the business at 856 Fairfield Ave. on Monday shortly after 3:15 p.m. As Gonzalez approached, the suspect, Rashawn Jackson, already had placed his arms behind his back to be handcuffed.

According to witnesses and store security video, the suspect entered the store and asked for food and stated the owner could keep possession of his food stamp card until the end of the week. Jackson said he would return to pay him.

The owner escorted him out of the store but Jackson returned, ran behind the secure counter and started grabbing money out of the register.

Ultimately, the suspect, owner and a witness tussled behind the counter, locked behind a security door and security glass. Later, in lock up, Jackson threw himself on the ground and claimed to have taken narcotics. He struggled with booking officers, police and attempted to bite a medic.

Jackson was charged with third-degree robbery, two counts of risk of injury to a minor, interfering with police, third-degree assault and criminal mischief.

Bond was set at $10,000.

(Bridgeport, CT – Aug. 12, 2013)—Four people were arrested Sunday after a report of shots fired on Hillhouse Avenue.

The two victims told police that they were in front of that address when they were approached by a male who kept asking them where they were from. The man ultimately left and was picked up by the occupants of a black vehicle. A short time later, the occupants of the car exited, approached the house and started trouble.

Two shots were fired but no one was struck, and the assailants fled in the vehicle. The victims were able to get the license plate number.

Officer  Thomas Lattanzio spotted it a short time later at Park and Ogden streets. He conducted a felony stop and he, Officer Bruno Rodrigues and other officers ordered occupants to show their hands. They all complied except for the front seat passenger, later identified as Tyler Vaughan, 19. He was removed from the car and police founded a loaded handgun in his pocket. He was arrested after a struggle.

The three other occupants also were charged and police recovered a stun gun in the car.

A 16-year-old juvenile was charged with criminal attempt at first-degree assault, reckless endangerment and other weapons offenses.

Vaughan was charged with assault on a police officer, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault and weapons counts. His bond was set at $100,000.

Jose Gullap, 27, and Selwyn Gonzalez Jr., 18, were charged with conspiracy and with possessing a weapon in a motor vehicle. Their bonds were $75,000 each.

The handgun and stun gun were seized.

(Bridgeport, CT – Aug. 12, 2013) – A 16-year-old youth faces weapons charges after being caught with a gun at a house party.

Officers Trevor Niestemski and David Uliano were sent to a Sage Avenue home Friday night on a disturbance.

As officers approached the porch, the teen began running up the exterior stairs and into the house, grabbing his waistband as he fled.

Suspecting he might have a gun, Niestemski and Uliano chased him inside and observed him throw a handgun into rear bathroom.

The youth was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit and interfering with police. A loaded .45-caliber handgun was recovered.