Teen, 21-Year-Old Busted After String Of Armed Robberies Wednesday: PD

NEW HAVEN, CT —At 4 in the morning, a 21-year-old, and a teenager tried and failed to rob, one of them armed, the New Haven Inn on Pond Lily Avenue, police said. The two demanded the clerk open the door, but they refused, and the two fled with nothing, police said.

Around 40 minutes later, the two stole a cash register drawer with $70 from a Westville McDonald's, a New Haven police spokesperson said.

Then, an hour after, at around 5:40 a.m., robbed a Willow Street gas station for lottery tickets and tobacco products, Capt. Rose Dell said.

Finally, at 8 a.m., the duo hit Pop Grocery at 267 Grand Ave., Dell said. In each case, one of the two was brandishing a firearm, police said. Inside the store, they took "snacks" and demanded money from the clerk, who refused. They took off.

Dell said that, through a thorough investigation, cops learned the same two people were
involved in all four incidents. She said they were "identified by their distinctive clothing." Police broadcast their car information and plainclothes officers saw the car, which turned out to be stolen, traveling on Middletown Avenue and pulled it over near Foxon Boulevard, Dell said.

During the stop, according to police, officers saw "an object was observed being thrown from the vehicle, which was later identified as a semi-automatic handgun."

Dell said police "immediately linked" the two to the Grand Avenue robbery as their "clothing matched the descriptions provided in all four incidents."

Christian Deleon, 21, of New Haven, was charged with Robbery in the First Degree, Threatening in the First Degree, Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree and Conspiracy to Commit Robbery in the First Degree.

A male juvenile was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Robbery in the First Degree and served with an outstanding warrant for another, unrelated robbery.

Both were also charged for illegal possession of a firearm and for the larceny of the stolen vehicle.

Warrants will be forthcoming for the three other robberies, Dell said.

"The New Haven Police Department remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of the community," Dell said, noting updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.