Hamden Men Charged with Armed Robbery of U.S. Post Office

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Two men and an 18-year-old face federal charges related to the armed robbery of a U.S. Post Office in West Haven.

Hamden residents Derrick White, also known as “Fly,” 51, and Howard Bookert, 18, along with 25-year-old New Haven resident Malcolm Haynes, also known as “Black,” were indicted by a federal grand jury in Bridgeport on Friday on a charge of armed robbery of a postal employee, according to U.S. States Attorney Deirdre M. Daly.

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The indictment also charges White and Haynes with one count of armed bank robbery related to a robbery in Hamden on the same day, Daly said in a press release.

White, Haynes and Bookert are accused of entering the U.S. Post Office, located at 75 Farwell Avenue in West Haven, on April 21 and stealing money and other government property, along with putting the life of a postal employee and others in jeopardy by the use of a dangerous weapon, according to Daly.

White, Haynes and another person known to the grand jury are also accused of using force, violence and intimidation to rob $9,287 from a branch of Wells Fargo Bank located at 1647 Whitney Avenue in Hamden on April 21.

White and Bookert have been detained since April 21 when they were apprehended in New Haven and arrested on related state charges, according to Daly.

Haynes has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on May 23.

If convicted, the suspects face a maximum term of imprisonment of 25 years and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count, according to Daly.