2 Suspects Accused Of Knifepoint Robbery Of Bridgeport Restaurant

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Two Bridgeport men were arrested on warrants this week in connection with a January knifepoint robbery at The Original Vazzy's Restaurant on Broadbridge Avenue, according to Bridgeport police.

The incident occurred at about 3:40 a.m. on Jan. 31 when a female employee entered Catamount Food Services on Huntington Turnpike, and was confronted by two men — later identified as Vincent Deramo and Hipolito Rodriguez — who were already inside the establishment.

"One suspect was armed with a knife and the other with a pointed object," said Bridgeport Police Capt. Kevin Gilleran in a statement. "Both suspects grabbed hold of the victim and held her against her will. The suspects threatened the victim and took her keys to The Original Vazzy’s Restaurant located across the street at 513 Broadbridge Avenue. One male suspect left Catamount Food Services with the keys to Vazzy’s while the other stayed with the victim."

Gilleran said that Vazzy’s Restaurant was burglarized for more than an hour while the victim was being held against her will at Catamount Food Services.

"When the suspect finally returned from Vazzy’s, the victim was let go and both suspects fled the scene," Gilleran said.

At about 2 a.m. that same day, White's Diner on Boston Avenue in Bridgeport was also burglarized, and police believe Deramo and Rodriguez also committed that crime.

The Bridgeport Police Department’s Robbery Squad began investigating, and over the last several months, Detective Damien Csech was able to identify both suspects and obtained multiple arrest warrants, according to Gilleran.

On Monday, Deramo, 46, was taken into custody by Orange police on a separate failure to appear charge, and was turned over to Bridgeport department.

Deramo was arrested in connection with the Whites Diner burglary, and was charged with:

• Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree
• Conspiracy to Commit Burglary in the 3rd Degree
• Criminal Trespass in the 3rd Degree

In connection with the Vazzy’s/Catamount Food Services incident, Deramo faces charges of:

• Kidnapping in the 1st Degree
• Robbery in the 1st Degree
• Burglary in the 3rd Degree (2 counts)
• Larceny in the 4th Degree
• Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree
• Threatening in the 2nd Degree

Rodriguez, 50, was already in custody with the state Department of Corrections on unrelated charges. In connection with the White's Diner incident, Rodriguez faces charges of:

Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree

Conspiracy to Commit Burglary in the 3rd Degree

Criminal Trespass in the 2nd Degree

For the Vazzy’s/Catamount Food Services incident, Rodriguez faces charges of:

• Kidnapping in the 1st Degree
• Robbery in the 1st Degree
• Burglary in the 3rd Degree (2 counts)
• Larceny in the 4th Degree
• Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree
• Threatening in the 2nd Degree

Both suspects remain in custody, and are scheduled to appear in court at a later date.

"BPD Robbery Squad Detective Damien Csech has done an outstanding job as the case officer and should be commended for his dedication to duty," Gilleran said.