Groton Man Tries To Steal Liquor Bottles, Assaults Deliveryman: New London Police

NEW LONDON, CT — New London Police were two-for-two in catching would-be robbers downtown Friday, according to a news release. Police described two robberies that were attempted including someone trying to steal liquor bottles and someone else trying to steal equipment from a tattoo parlor.

The first incident police responded to was at 11:33 a.m. on Friday in the area of 345 Bank Street as a liquor delivery person chased down an individual who he saw stealing liquor bottles from his delivery truck, police said.

As the delivery person attempted to get the stolen bottles back, he was assaulted by the individual and suffered a superficial injury to the area around his eye, police said. The bottles were recovered and the suspect fled the area, police said.

Approximately two hours after the initial incident was reported and officers were still in the area, the suspect was observed walking into the Ravi Mart located at 268 Bank Street, police said. The victim returned to the scene and positively identified the suspect as the individual who attempted to steal the liquor bottles and who had assaulted him in the process, police said.

Reynaldo Cartagena, 35, of Groton was charged with the following: Robbery Third Degree, Assault Third Degree, and Larceny Sixth Degree. He is being held in lieu of $25,000 bond.

Photo of Cartagena

Then in a separate incident 8:41 p.m. Friday, a robbery was reported at New London Ink, 116 Bank Street. An employee stated that an individual came into the shop and inquired about getting a tattoo, police said. The individual was then observed to attempt to steal the shop’s iPad credit card machine valued at $1200, police said.

The employee, after a minor physical altercation with the individual, was able to retrieve the iPad, police said. The suspect fled the area. The employee was not injured during the incident, police said. Shortly thereafter, the suspect was located in the area of Tilley Street, police said.

The suspect ran from the officer and was subsequently caught after a brief foot chase through the municipal parking lots and back onto Bank Street, police. Kihe McGaha, 36, of Huntington Street, New London was charged with the following: Robbery Third Degree, Larceny Fifth Degree, and Interfering with Police. He is being held in lieu of $25,000 bond.

Photo of McGaha

Images via New London Police Department