MERIDEN, Conn. — Six suspects, including two adults and four youths, were arrested Thursday after a multi-town, multi-day crime spree.
Police said 18-year-old Robert Barbera and 20-year-old Kyle Mitchell-Howe are facing charges after police said they intentionally drove at Meriden officers who were trying to apprehend them.
Multiple agencies joined the Meriden Police Department on Friday and provided a timeline of events, including other crimes the six suspects reportedly took part in.
The crime spree reportedly began Wednesday afternoon when a white Kia vehicle was involved in two armed robberies in Southington, said Lt. Robert Eagan with the Southington Police Department.
According to Eagan, there was a reported shoplifting incident at the Dollar Tree on Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike. Then, about a half hour later, the same Kia was involved in a stolen purse incident at the Walmart on Queen Street. Police said an elderly woman had her purse taken from her while walking in the parking lot. The purse was later recovered with stolen items, like credit cards, police said.
Meriden police the suspects in their stolen vehicles were driving erratically throughout Meriden and Wallingford. Meriden Police Chief Roberto Rosado said the department received a tip through email where a Meriden resident stated they were almost struck by vehicles twice while trying to cross the road. One of the times was around 6 p.m., and another around midnight.
At some point, the suspects were inside a black Mazda vehicle that was reported stolen out of Darien.
Torrington police said there is an investigation into an armed robbery that included the suspect Mazda. Police said that a woman with a young child was walking in the parking lot of an apartment complex on Franklin Street when one of the suspects got out of the Mazda and brandished a gun at her, demanding her purse. A witness was able to follow the Mazda and inform police what the license plate was. According to officials, the Mazda drove into Litchfield and down into Waterbury.
At around 1 p.m. Thursday, the Mazda was involved in an armed robbery at the Walmart in Wallingford, police said.
Several hours later, around 7 p.m., Meriden police notified Wallingford that they had found the Mazda, which was coming back into the town.
At one point, Meriden police had responded to Hubbard Park, where the Mazda and Kia were found. Police said as officers rolled up on the scene, the suspects lit the Kia ablaze and sped away. That incident was captured on camera.
Meriden police also said the stolen vehicles were captured on camera doing donuts and driving erratically through the community. Police said the suspects are also accused of driving head-on at Meriden officers and civilians and swerving away at the last moment.
The crime spree all culminated in Meriden police pursuing the suspects.
The Mazda aimed for one of the Meriden police cruisers with two detectives inside.
After the crash, the six suspects tried running from the vehicle, where police then captured them.
Meriden officials said evidence was found in the Mazda related to the other crimes the suspects are accused of committing. Police also found a revolver and a plastic gun.
At the press conference held by Meriden police on Friday, Rosado cited his frustration over the fact that the suspects were on the street to begin with.
According to Rosado, the suspects were repeat offenders. Rosado said that communities are put at risk since repeat offenders are released due to lower bonds and no consequences and without being reformed.
Barbera was put on a $1 million bond, while Mitchell-Howe, who was a passenger in the Mazda, was put on a $500,000 bond. Meriden police said the bond and charges aren't related to the crimes in other jurisdictions but said the suspects put the Meriden community, and state, in danger by being out on the streets. Barbera also had a PRAWN warrant due to his failing to appear in Cheshire, facing charges of stealing a vehicle, according to officials.
Rosado also said one of the suspects had two warrants as well, prompting him to be transferred to Hartford custody.
Police expect more charges to come for the six suspects.
State Rep. Michael Quinn, who represents the east side of Meriden, said he wants to work with state lawmakers on reforming juvenile justice laws to try and help police.
"People make mistakes," Quinn said, "I think when they make mistakes the first time, you should be dealt with differently. The problem is we are treating repeat offenders like how we treat first-time offenders."
Quinn dismissed the idea of a special session, stating the public should have a chance to weigh in on the issue and it not be a knee-jerk reaction and rushed.
Meriden Mayor Kevin Scarpati voiced his frustration during the press conference, frustrated at the fact that Meriden officers, and the state as a whole, are put in danger by repeat offenders.
Scarpati also asked Meriden residents to pick up the phone and report things to the police who are trying to keep the community safe.
Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
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