WALLINGFORD - A Meriden man accused of holding up a gas station, by holding a knife to a baby, is under psychiatric evaluation.
A Meriden Superior Court judge set bond for Richard Stevenson, 25, at $240,000 on several charges, including 1st degree robbery, criminal attempt at 1st degree assault, and risk of injury to a minor.
Police said Stevenson went up to the counter at a Gulf gas station in Wallingford late Wednesday night while holding his nine month old nephew.
The clerk there, Malik Mohammed, said Stevenson threw down $8, demanding a $40 fill-up.
When Mohammed told Stevenson that he was crazy and wouldn't do it, things got scary.
"He took out a knife...from his pocket...he put the knife on the baby's belly, give me the gas or else I'll kill the baby," Mohammed said. "I said don't do that, take whatever you want."
Police said Stevenson also showed up at a Shell gas station in Meriden, and again threatened the baby with the knife while yelling, "Give me a phone or I'll stab the baby."
Police, including state troopers, said they caught Stevenson by using stop-sticks on his car.
The baby was found in the front passenger seat unrestrained and crying, but is now doing fine.
