Customers Help Arrest Shelton Armed Robbery Suspect

Call it good timing as Shelton Police Officer Philip Norris just happened to be on patrol near the Cumberland Farms at 819 River Road around 1:15 a.m. on Christmas Eve.

Customers at the convenience store informed Norris that the store was being held up gunpoint, and as the suspect departed Norris and police were able to take him into custody after a brief foot chase into the woods, police said.

Police say a male, later identified as Valentine Rodriguez, 32, of Bridgeport, was wearing a black hoodie and displaying a gun entered Cumberland Farms, and demanded money.

Norris was on patrol and conducting a routine check of Cumberland Farms at the same time. Norris was flagged down at the driveway entrance by a few customers who stated that a male with a gun was currently inside committing a robbery.

Norris then observed a male exit the store wearing a dark hoodie with something in his hand. The male ignored commands and fled on foot, police said. Norris began to pursue the male on foot. The male ran into a wooded area and Norris then heard a gunshot.

Officers immediately surrounded the area and began searching for the suspect. Officer David Eldridge was able to locate the suspect who was hiding in a wooded area. The suspect continued to ignore commands and would not comply with police. The suspect was eventually handcuffed and placed under arrest.

Rodriguez was charged with:

Robbery 1st Degree, Theft of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Discharged of a Firearm, Interfering with an Officer, and Larceny 6th Degree.

Rodriguez is being held on a $250,000 bond and is scheduled to appear today at Derby Superior Court.

Rodriguez was additionally charged with Failure to Appear 2nd Degree from an arrest warrant based out of Bridgeport and is also being held on an active arrest warrant from Fairfield PD.

Officers and detectives searched the area and were able to locate the gun. It was determined that the gun was reported stolen.

Norris was treated and released for injuries sustained during the incident. The clerk did not report any injuries to police.

“The patrol officers did an excellent job with their quick apprehension of the suspect. I would also like to thank the CT State Police, West Haven Police, and especially Stratford Police for their assistance in this case,” Police Chief Joel Hurliman said.