Utility Worker Robbed At Knife Point, East Haven Man Charged

EAST HAVEN, CT—A utility worker who was working on a roadside utility box was robbed at knife point Wednesday on Thompson Street, police said. Before police arrived, the victim was able to provide a description of the suspect and gave it to the 911 dispatcher. The worker said he was robbed by the man armed with an orange box cutter.

The victim said the man threatened him with the knife and demanded his money. The worker complied with the suspect's demands police said, and then the suspect "rifled through" the victim's pockets, stealing his company cell phone and wallet, police said.

With his description, officers searched the area and it was East Haven Police officer Nicole Burrell who "came upon the man walking through the Countryside condos." After speaking with him, she decided "it was clear that he was the suspect involved in the robbery," police said, and she placed him in handcuffs. The suspect claimed he was living with a friend at the apartment complex "who then gave officers consent to search the residence." Police found "evidence related to the robbery including the orange box cutter," according to East Haven Police Lt. Joseph Murgo.

Soon, a state police trooper and K-9 arrived and were able to find the utility worker’s cell phone and clothes that belonged to the suspect, thrown near the apartment.

Police arrested Louis Pilotti, 30, of East Haven. Pilotti was transported to the East Haven Police Department where he was charged with first degree robbery and second-degree larceny. He was held on $100,000 bond.

In January of 2018, Pilotti was charged with sixth-degree larceny and first-degree forgery.