Shelton Police Make Arrest in Armed Robbery at Cleto's

Shelton detectives arrested a man on an active arrest warrant in relation to an armed robbery at Cleto’s Liquor Store.

Police responded to Cleto’s Liquor Store at 402 Howe Ave. for a reported armed robbery on Dec. 16, 2014 at around 8:45 p.m. Two males entered the store, one male displayed a gun and the other male displayed a knife. The males grabbed money and bottles of liquor then left the store.

Jonathan Rodriguez, 30, of Bridgeport, was charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, third-degree larceny and third-degree conspiracy to commit larceny. Rodriguez was given a $75,000 bond and is scheduled to appear at Derby Court on Feb. 23.

Police earlier arrested Rodriguez’s brother, Valentine Rodriguez, 32, of Bridgeport on Dec. 24. 2014 for an armed robbery at Cumberland Farms. Detectives began investigating to see if the two incidents at Cumberland Farms and Cleto’s were related in any manner.

On Feb. 11, Samantha Cruz-Palarino, 25, of Oxford turned herself in on an active arrest warrant. Cruz-Palarino was charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, third-degree larceny and third-degree conspiracy to commit larceny. Bond was set at $150,000 and Cruz-Palarino was given a court date of March 3. Cruz-Palarino is accused in both robberies of driving the suspects.

Shelton Police expect to make more arrests in this case.

Image via Shutterstock

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