Man Armed With Handgun Stole Over $3K, 20 Packs Of Cigarettes From Gas Station: Darien Police

DARIEN, CT — A Darien man was arrested this week in connection with an armed robbery at a local gas station in broad daylight, according to an announcement from police.

Jason D. Mann, 55, was arrested on a warrant and charged with first-degree robbery, third-degree larceny, illegal weapon in a motor vehicle, failure to keep narcotics in an original container, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.

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On Sept. 15 at approximately 12:30 p.m., police dispatchers were contacted by an employee of the Exxon gas station at 1358 Post Road in Darien about an armed robbery that had just occurred.

Police said the suspect brandished a handgun and demanded cash and cigarettes, and ultimately fled with over $3,000 and 20 packs of cigarettes.

The suspect was reported to have left on a small e-bike heading westbound on the Post Road, police said, noting that responding officers searched the area unsuccessfully. However, using camera footage in the area, officers were able to determine a description of the e-bike and suspect.

On Sept. 17 at approximately 1:15 a.m., a Darien police officer noticed a vehicle on the Post Road in the area of Corbin Drive with an "equipment violation," police said. The officer found that the registered owner of the vehicle, later identified as Mann, had an active arrest warrant out of Derby, and conducted a vehicle stop.

Drug paraphernalia and improperly packaged medication were seen in the vehicle, according to police, who said that while taking Mann into custody, officers found clothing and footwear that matched the description of the armed robbery suspect.

Detectives executed search warrants for Mann's vehicle and home on Sept. 17 and found an e-bike, firearm and clothing that matched the items from the armed robbery, police said.

"The investigation revealed that Mann parked his pickup truck near the location of the robbery, with the e-bike secured in the bed of the truck," police said. "Mann removed the e-bike from the truck and used it during the robbery. He then returned to the pickup with the e-bike, placed it back in the truck, covered it and fled the area."

An arrest warrant was ultimately obtained for Mann.

Mann was taken to Stamford Superior Court on Friday where he was held on a $225,000 bond.