2 Charged In Groton Car Crash, Robbery: Police

GROTON, CT — Two Massachusetts men were charged after they allegedly caused a car crash and robbed a victim who they followed from an out-of-state casino, according to City of Groton police. A car crash occurred in the early morning hours Sunday on Clarence B. Sharp Highway.

Police responded and heard the victim yelling for help. Police arrived and found two men were robbing the victim, with one of the men pinning the victim to the ground outside his vehicle.

The men then noticed the police presence and fled into the wooded area between Clarence B. Sharp Highway and the City of Groton Municipal Building, according to police. One suspect suffered a fall; he was treated for minor injuries and returned to the police department.

Police found the second suspect and took him into custody without incident.

Police searched the victims and said they found items stolen from the victim including several thousand dollars in cash, several thousand dollars in casino chips, keys, a cell phone, and other items belonging to the victim.

Police said an initial investigation indicates that the men followed the victim from an out-of-state casino and caused the car crash so they could rob the victim.

Rafael Almeida, 19, of Brocton, MA and Emanuel Dos-Santos, 22, of Boston, MA were both charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree larceny, second-degree breach of peace, and interfering with a police officer. Dos-Santos was also charged with reckless endangerment, second-degree threatening, and second-degree unlawful restraint.

Both men were held on $100,000 bond and scheduled to appear in court Monday.

Anyone with further pertinent information is asked to call the City of Groton Police Department Detective Division at (860)446-4186.