Waterbury gas station robbed
Toolbox
By Thatcher Moats Times Argus Staff - Published: November 17, 2009
WATERBURY – The Waterbury Police Department is investigating a robbery that occurred on Friday at a gas station on Route 100 near the intersection with Blush Hill Road.
Police said a masked person in dark clothing and gloves walked into the Champlain Farms (formerly known as the Exxon Fastop) just before 7 p.m., grabbed a cashier by the back of the neck and demanded money.
The store employee, who was cashing out at the time and had the cash tray on the counter, complied with the demand, and the robber made off with an undisclosed amount of money, leaving behind the $1 and $5 bills, police said.
Two female employees were the only people in the 24-hour gas station at the time of the robbery, which lasted 13 seconds, said Waterbury Police Chief Joby Feccia. One of the employees followed the robber out of the store and saw him run up an embankment behind the store, Feccia said.
Along with Waterbury police, state police troopers responded with a police dog to try to track the robber, Feccia said.
The dog was able to track the scent to Blush Hill Road, but the scent disappeared, leading police to conclude the robber got into a vehicle, said Feccia.
"The dog ran a track and it pretty much disappeared in the road, so we assume they got in a car," said Feccia. "The track didn't go anywhere."
Feccia said the department has video of the robbery, but the robber's face was well-covered, and police have not identified a suspect or made an arrest.
There is no indication the robber was armed, Feccia said, and the clerk was not seriously injured.
"There were no blows, no threat of a weapon. He literally grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and told her, 'Give me the money,' and she did," Feccia said.
Police are asking anyone with information about the robbery to call 244-7339 or Crimestoppers at 476-9999.
36