Man Admits To Numerous Robberies Across CT, Including In Norwalk: Feds

NORWALK, CT — A Bristol man has pleaded guilty to committing numerous violent robberies across Connecticut, including in Norwalk, in September and October 2022, according to Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of CT.

Lonny Cross, 45, appeared before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery, and one count of Hobbs Act Robbery.

Cross faces a maximum term of 40 years in prison; he's scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 21.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between Sept. 5 and Oct. 13, 2022, Cross committed 37 robberies and attempted robberies of gas station convenience stores, mini-markets, and liquor stores in CT in Bristol; Darien; Franklin; Groton City; Ledyard; Naugatuck; New Haven; North Branford; North Haven; Norwalk; Norwich; Orange; Plymouth; Seymour; Southington; Stonington; Stratford; Waterbury; Waterford; Watertown; West Haven; Wethersfield; Wolcott; and Port Chester, N.Y.

In Norwalk, according to prosecutors, Cross stole $2,148 from Global Gas Station on Main Street and $1,725 from Mobil Gas Station on North Avenue on Oct. 13, 2022.

Cross's highest single score was $5,500 from a gas station in Plymouth on Sept. 17, 2022, prosecutors noted. Overall, Cross stole $58,773.

Several of the robberies occurred on the same day, only minutes apart, Avery said in a news release.

"Cross typically traveled to the victim-store with an accomplice who would sometimes enter the store to determine the number of employees and customers in the store, exit the store, and then report that information to Cross," Avery said. "Cross then entered the store, displayed a knife or facsimile firearm while threatening employees, and stole cash and other items."

On Oct.14, 2022, investigators conducted court-authorized searches of Cross’s residence and a black 2014 Chevrolet Impala that Cross was known to drive, Avery said.

The search of the residence revealed clothing consistent with clothing worn by Cross in several of the robberies, as well as quantities of heroin, crack cocaine, and narcotics paraphernalia, Avery said.

In his car, investigators found 120 bags of heroin, approximately 14 grams of crack, and a knit hat matching the description of one worn by Cross during a robbery the day before, according to Avery.

Cross, who was on state parole, was arrested on state charges on Oct. 14, 2022, and has been detained since his arrest.

This investigation has been conducted by the FBI, Connecticut State Police, Orange Police Department, Port Chester (N.Y.) Police Department, and numerous other police departments from the municipalities where the robberies occurred, with the assistance of Connecticut State Parole, Avery said.

Richard Kaufman, Patch Staff contributed to this report.