Suspected Serial Robber Charged in Southington

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Southington police on Monday announced the weekend arrest of a suspect in four robberies at three stores in town.

Jeffrey Stokarski, 43, of Waterbury, was arrested at Bristol Superior Court on four outstanding warrants Friday. The warrants stemmed from a string of robberies that occurred in Southington between Dec. 27 and Jan. 8, police said.

Police outlined the four robberies in a news release:

• On Dec. 27, officers responded to a robbery at the Henny Penny, 273 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike. Police said a man, later identified as Stokarski, allegedly entered the store, went behind the counter armed with a screwdriver. He allegedly pried the cash register open and stole $289.97 before fleeing the area, police said. No one was injured, police said. Stokarski was charged with first-degree robbery and sixth-degree larceny, police said. He was being held on a $250,000 court-set bond.
• On Dec. 31, officers responded to another robbery at the Henny Penny. Stokarski allegedly entered the store and ordered the same clerk to open the register, police said. The clerk complied and Stokarski allegedly removed $161.80 from the register and took two cartons of cigarettes before fleeing the area. Stokarski was charged with third-degree robbery and sixth-degree larceny, police said. No one was injured. He was being held a $100,000 court-set bond.
• On Jan. 6, police responded to a robbery at the Mobil gas station, 1896 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike. Stokarski allegedly entered the store armed with a knife and stole approximately $400 in cash and three cartons of cigarettes valued at $116.90 before fleeing the area. Stokarski was charged with first-degree robbery and fifth-degree larceny, police said. He was being held on a $50,000 court-set bond, police said. There were no injuries reported.
• On Jan. 8, police responded to a robbery at the Food Bag, 860 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike. Stokarski is accused of entering the store, armed with a knife, and stealing approximately $76 in cash and cartons of cigarettes with a value of approximately $702.60 before fleeing the area, police said. Stokarski was charged with first-degree robbery and fifth-degree larceny, police said. No one was injured. He was being held on a $50,000 court set bond. There were no reported injuries.

Photo Credit: Southington Police