'Staged' Robbery Leads To Theft Of $8K From Business: Milford PD

MILFORD, CT — Two people are accused of staging a robbery at a local business, which resulted in the theft of more than $8,000, police said.

At 6:10 p.m. on May 24, police responded to Citgo Gas Station at 222 Broad Street on the report of an armed robbery, police said. The store clerk, Jamie Darouse, 31, of Center Street in West Haven, said that a man wearing sunglasses, a hat, and face mask entered the store and gave her a note demanding all the money and made mention that he had a loaded gun, police said.

Darouse gave all the money in the register as well as deposit money, totaling over $8,000, police said. The robbery suspect then left as a passenger in a car that was parked outside on the street, police said.

After an investigation was conducted by Detective Warwick, to included interviews, reviewing video surveillance, and other evidence it was determined that Darouse along with Khari Ruffin and a third person "staged the robbery to steal money from the business," police said in a news release.

Arrest warrants were issued and on Aug. 13, Ruffin, 19, of Juniper Ridge Road in Waterbury turned
himself in and was released on a $20,000 bond. On Aug. 18, police took custody of Darouse in regard to the active warrant for her arrest, police said.

Darouse was held in lieu of a $100,000 bond. A third arrest warrant is outstanding for the driver of the getaway vehicle, police said.

Darouse was charged with:
Larceny 3rd Degree
Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 3rd Degree
Falsely Reporting an Incident
False Statement

Darouse was held on a $100,000 bond.

Ruffin was charged with:
Larceny 3rd Degree
Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 3rd Degree

Ruffin was released on a $20,000 bond.