Monday, April 18, 2011

Police Thwart Coffee Shop Robbery

From the Middletown Police Department

Arrested:  Brian Clark age 31
329 DeKoven Dr  Apt E-1
Middletown, CT  06457

Charges:
Criminal Attempt/Ro9bbery 1st Degree
Carrying/Sale Dangerous Weapon
Criminal Mischief 3rd
 Bond  $100,000
Court date:  5/2/11

On Saturday, 4/16/11the Middletown Police Department received a tip that the above arrested was planning to Rob Javapalozza Café on Main St.  The Patrol Division Supervisor for the evening placed officers in the café in an undercover capacity.  At closing time ( 10:30pm) the undercover officers walked the employees of the café out to their vehicles.  Officers located Clark hiding in the dimly lit parking lot wearing all black clothes. Clark had in his possession a knife, rope and a black bandanna with eye holes cut out. The knife was located against Clark’s forearm held in place by a wrist watch.

During an interview with Clark, he stated that he had planned on robbing the employees of the café and was going to tie them up if they did not give him the money.  He also punctured two of the tires of the vehicle he believed to have belonged to the café manager (but in fact belonged to another employee) to slow their escape if they tried to running away.

Due to the proactive actions of the Patrol Division and a concerned citizen no one was injured during this incident.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very scary, this one. We all need to look out for each other and be vigilent for dangerous creeps like this. I hope he gets the maximum sentance possible, and I hope he gets help.

Anonymous said...

Scary! fyi - typo on Rob (no caps).

Anonymous said...

Ha! Gerry Brooks on Channel 30 just reported (5:38pm) that Brian Clark intended to rob the "Rob Javapalozza Café".

Anonymous said...

Let this be a wake-up call to anyone leaving at night especially, after working at a restaurant. There are many places downtown where employees are walking to cars alone. Keep your eyes open and your cell phone handy!!

Roland said...

A big thank you to the tipster brave enough to step up and keep us safe. And another big thank you to the police for finding him in hiding. This is the kind of story that should get more press; a story of prevention from anyone getting harmed, rather than the daily tragedies when people step in too late.

Anonymous said...

I hope he gets the help he needs. I am grateful he didn't hurt anyone.

Anonymous said...

Pelton's used to have someone to walk us to our cars on most nights. Things like this remind me how important that was, especially when many of us were still in high school while working there. I've worked many places since, and none have done anything to help employees safely get to their vehicles after dark.

Anonymous said...

Hope they get 15-20.