Southington Carjacking Case Part Of FBI $25,000 Reward Offer

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The FBI is offering a $25,000 reward for the conviction of a man wanted in connection with an extensive robbery spree in the state, including a carjacking on Southington.

Leonard C. Boyle, acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, special agent in charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced this week the unsealing of a federal criminal complaint charging Christian Velez, 23, with federal robbery and firearm offenses.

Velez is currently being sought by law enforcement officials for his suspected involvement in a series of robberies throughout Connecticut beginning in September 2021. In addition to a federal arrest warrant, multiple state arrest warrants have been issued for Velez, Boyle said.

Southington police began investigating him for a carjacking that month as well, department spokesman Lt. Keith Egan said.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Velez.

Boyle said anyone with information concerning the case can contact the FBI's New Haven Field Office at 203-503-5580, or by submitting a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

The complaint charges Velez with Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, Boyle said.

The complaint affidavit remains sealed.