A Knife, Vodka, a Police Dog and a Bicycle All Part of Southington Robbery Incident: Cops

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A knife, a bottle of booze, a bicycle and a police dog all had one thing in common on Tuesday. They were all part of a robbery incident in Southington, police said.

At about 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Southington police responded to Wineland Discount Liquors, located at 1543 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike, after a panic alarm was activated, according to a report.

A clerk set off the alarm after being told by an intruding male that he had a knife, police said. It was not displayed but the man stole a bottle of vodka from the store, police said.

The man fled the area on a bicycle in a westbound direction on Meriden Waterbury Turnpike, police said.

The clerk called a family member who lived nearby, explained what happened, police said. The family member was en route to the store, but saw the suspect and stopped him, police said.

The family member took back the bottle of vodka, grabbed the bike and the suspect then fled on foot, police said.

Back at the store, the on-scene officer reviewed the video, and recognized the suspect from a previous arrest, police said. It was Michael Foley, 25, of Southington, police said.

A short time later another officer located Foley walking in the area of Burritt and Clark streets, police said.

A foot pursuit ensued and an canine unit arrived to start a track, police said. Foley then ran out from behind a home, encountered police and gave up, according to a report.

He was then taken into custody without further incident.

Foley was found to be in possession of a knife, police said.

Foley was charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree threatening, second-degree breach of peace, sixth-degree larceny and interfering/resisting an officer, police said.

He was held on a $50,000 bond and was to appear in court Wednesday, police said.

Photo Credit: SPD