Man Charged In Manchester Hold-Up After Chase

MANCHESTER, CT — State and Manchester police chased down a suspect in what appears to be a multi-town larceny and robbery spree that began on Monday and spilled into Tuesday, a report indicates.

According to a report, a man entered the the Shell station at 252 Spencer St. in Manchester at 6:53 p.m. Monday, implied he was holding a gun in his pocket and made off with $80 in cash after threatening to shoot the clerk, police said.

He fled in a vehicle, police said.

Similar incidents were reported in Vernon, Ellington, South Windsor and East Hartford, police said.

At 12:27 a.m. Tuesday, a Manchester officer spotted the suspected getaway car as it entered Interstate-84 eastbound and a chase ensued, according to a report. The vehicles was apprehended near Exit 74 by state and Manchester police, according to a report.

The suspect was identified as Joseph Boughton Jr., 24, of South Windsor. For the hold-up, he was charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree threatening and sixth-degree lareceny, police said.

For the chase, Boughton was charged with engaging police in a pursuit, reckless driving, possession of drug paraphernalia and assorted motor vehicle violations, police said.

He was being held Tuesday on a $250,000 bond and was assigned a court date of Feb. 5, police said.

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel

To sign up for free, local breaking news alerts from more than 100 Connecticut communities, click here.