Greenwich Robbery Suspect Armed with Fake Gun, Fedora & 3-D Glasses

A man wearing dark clothing, a fedora and 3-D movie glasses, displaying what looked like a .45-caliber handgun, demanded a clerk empty the cash register of the Mobil gas station on the corner of West Putnam and Weaver Street Thursday night.

But the suspected robber's impatience with the clerk, lead to a demand that he be given $60. "I have to go. I really need the money my son is sick in the hospital," Greenwich Police said the robber told the clerk.

About 8:30 p.m., Dec. 8, the man carrying what appeared to be a silver and black handgun, walked into the station and demanded the clerk empty the cash register.

According to Greenwich Police, "The clerk told the suspect that he would get in trouble if he were to give him the money. The suspect then demanded a reduced amount of $200. The suspect then related he was in a hurry and then further reduced amount of the demand to $60. The suspect became impatient and told the clerk that 'I have to go. I really need the money my son is sick in the hospital.' The suspect was given $60 from the cash register, the suspect then fled the store on foot in a westerly direction on West Putnam Avenue."

Police searched the area with the help of a canine unit from Darien Police and about an hour later, found the suspect walking on Byram Terrace Drive, a couple blocks from the gas station. To help the Darien canine unit try to track a scent, Greenwich Police briefly closed access to the Putnam Green apartment complex parking lot on Western Junior Highway.

According to police, "The suspect's clothing and a toy gun was located a short distance away. A search of the suspect revealed hypodermic needles as well as the money taken in the robbery."

Police spokesman Lt. Kraig Gray said, "There were indications at the scene that the suspect has substance abuse problems that could've been the motivator for the robbery. He doesn't have sick kid. He wanted the money." Gray added, "He negotiated himself out of taking all the money ... "

The suspect was identified as Michael J. Rinello, 34, of 30 Windy Knolls Dr., Greenwich. He was held in lieu of $100,000 bond set on charges of first-degree robbery, sixth-degree larceny and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is scheduled to appear Dec. 16 in state Superior Court in Stamford.