Armed Suspect Robs Victims In Their Yard, Shots Fired: New Haven Police

NEW HAVEN, CT — At 11:17 p.m. Thursday, police responded to the 20 block of Hazel Street on a report of a robbery with a firearm, police said.

The victims reported that they were in the rear yard when they were approached by the suspect, who was armed with a handgun, police said.

When another resident of the house saw what was happening on their surveillance camera, he went outside with his own legally registered gun to challenge the suspect, who then fired two shots before fleeing on foot, police said.

The homeowner did not return fire, and no one was struck, police said.

On Friday, detectives received information that the suspect from the robbery was wearing the same clothing and had entered a corner store at the intersection of Dixwell Avenue and Division Street, police said.

Police located Earl Hobby, 47, of New Haven, matching the description, on Orchard Street by Henry Street, police said.

Hobby was detained after a brief struggle, and police located a handgun in his jacket pocket; a check of the handgun showed it was reported as stolen, police said. They also located a small amount of crack cocaine, ecstasy pills, and wallets belonging to the robbery victims, police said.

Hobby is charged with interfering with an officer, carrying a pistol or revolver without a permit, criminal possession of a firearm/ammunition, illegal possession of a controlled substance, and stealing a firearm. He is being held on a $250,000 bond.

Police Chief David Zannelli said, "This case is another great example of the teamwork involved when community members assist us with information and our patrol officers and detectives work together to investigate a serious incident involving a firearm which led to a quick arrest. I am thankful no one was from the community was physically hurt during the robbery or when our officers were able to take a dangerous armed person into custody without incident."

image via New Haven Police Department