Armed Robbery Falsely Reported; Fairfield Business Evacuated: PD

FAIRFIELD, CT — A miscommunication led police to close roads and evacuate a business Wednesday evening in Fairfield Center after authorities received a report of an armed robbery that turned out to be untrue, according to law enforcement.

The report was made about 6 p.m. and concerned the Charles Schwab offices in the 1200 block of the Post Road, according to authorities, who said the company’s security hotline contacted law enforcement about a call the hotline received from an employee who stated a person had a gun to her head.

First responders rushed to the scene and shut down traffic while trying to make contact with the workers inside the business, according to police, who said three employees present at the time of the emergency call were unaware of a robbery. Police evacuated the premises and entered the building, but found no evidence of criminal activity, authorities said.

Law enforcement determined a Charles Schwab client, while speaking with an employee of the financial consulting business, had discussed being a victim in a domestic violence incident in which a gun was held to her head, according to police. A supervisor notified the security hotline about the client’s statements, which resulted in a miscommunication and a call to police dispatchers, authorities said.

Norwalk police were notified about the statements made by the client, who is a Norwalk resident, according to law enforcement.