Police, Employees Foil Armed Robbery At Krauszer's Food Store

BRANFORD, CT — A 911 call, quick thinking employees and astute cops helped foil an armed robbery Saturday at Krauszer's Food Store in Branford.

Branford Police Capt. David Galdenzi said police got a 911 call about a robbery in progress at the 170 Cedar St. store. The employee said a "lone male wearing a black mask" and suspected to be armed with a gun, was inside the store and, "behind the counter pretending to be an employee. "

Police officers Burghart and Romanello got there and were told the suspect, a 15-year-old boy, was "still inside the store behind the counter."

Galdenzi said Burghart "made a quick assessment" and along with officers Morgan and Romanello went into the store where they could see the "juvenile still behind the cash register counter with the cashier."

Police yelled out commands and the suspect "complied and was taken into custody without further incident."

Neither of the two store employees or customers who witnessed the robbery attempt from inside the store were hurt, Galdenzi said.

Police said the youth had $762 on them and a "dual-bladed, five-to-six-inch knife" that he showed the cashier during the robbery.

Galdenzi said the outcome where no one was injured was due to a "great job by all."

The teen was charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree breach of peace.

The boy was remanded to custody and is being held at a juvenile detention facility in Bridgeport.