Local Man Charged In 2 Bizarre Armed Robbery Attempts: Southington PD

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A 36-year-old Southington man was charged with trying to rob two separate convenience stores in a bizarre crime spree Thursday afternoon, ultimately making off with a $20 donation in an unusual chain of events.

According to the Southington Police Department, Kyle Witkoski, 36, of Union Street, Southington, was charged with conspiracy to commit second-degree robbery; first-degree robbery; sixth-degree larceny; second-degree breach of peace; and use of drug paraphernalia.

He is being held on $60,000 bond. Police did not have a court date for Witkoski.

According to police, a call came in at about 12:34 p.m. after a reported armed robbery at the Go Happy Mart, 2110 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike, in Marion, a neighborhood in Southington.

Police said a store employee reported Witkoski entered the store and, eventually, approached the register with his hands in his pockets, demanding money and saying he had a "gun."

According to police, the suspect said "this is a robbery."

Ultimately, police said the suspect demanded $200, prompting the store employee to request the suspect go outside and wait while the employee said he'd get the cash from the back room.

Police said Witkoski was in agreement with the arrangement and stepped outside.

That's when, police said, the store employee instructed a vendor on site to lock the door and lock out Witkoski.

According to the SPD, Witkoski waited outside for his money, but then entered into a waiting vehicle after a few minutes, leaving the area.

Shortly thereafter, at 12:39 p.m., local police said they received a second call of an armed robbery at the Fleet Gas store, 2211 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike, Marion.

Police said a store worker there reported Witkoski entered the building and started talking to a clerk.

Police said the store employee told officers that Witkoski said "Give me all your hundreds, don't touch the phone and don't call the police."

When the clerk told Witkoski there was no cash in the register, the clerk said Witkoski further demanded money, stating he had a gun, police said.

That's when, police said, the clerk demanded to see Witkoski's gun, to which Witkoski refused to show.

The Fleet Gas employee then offered Witkoski $20 and the accused robber accepted, police said.

Then, Witkoski left the store in the same vehicle reported at the earlier location, according to the SPD.

Police quickly were able to locate the 2013 Honda CRV traveling on the Meriden Waterbury Turnpike, stopping the vehicle when it turned onto Ruggles Row, police said.

According to authorities, subsequent investigation determined Witkoski had hired a taxi service and the driver of vehicle was under the impression Witkoski was trying to cash a check.

Police said the driver did question Witkoski's activity, with the suspect denying any crimes were happening.

Ultimately, police said, Witkoski paid the driver with the $20 obtained at Fleet Gas and the driver gave the cash to police as evidence.