Stamford Man Accused Of Robbery In Westport: Police

WESTPORT, CT — A 19-year-old Stamford man was arrested on a warrant by Westport police Thursday on robbery and reckless endangerment charges in connection with a July 8 robbery on Saugatuck Avenue, according to authorities.

Jose Alvarez was charged with second-degree robbery, conspiracy and second-degree reckless endangerment in what police described as a snatch-and-run robbery.

The incident occurred about about 4:30 p.m. when Alvarez, who was a passenger in a car, met the victim under the ruse of selling the victim a cell phone.

"The victim relayed to officers that he had planned to meet with an acquaintance in the town of Westport," wrote Westport Police Lt. Anthony Prezioso in a statement. "He reported that he had conversed with this acquaintance through a social media application and had arranged to purchase a cell phone in exchange for an older model cell phone and $165.00 in cash. This individual reportedly arrived at the agreed upon meeting location as a passenger in a vehicle. After approaching the vehicle and while attempting to make the exchange, the victim reported that this individual had grabbed the cash out of his hands and that the vehicle’s operator then began to speed away."

At that point, the victim tried to hang onto the vehicle's door to stop them from driving off and was dragged a short distance before letting go.

The victim and a friend then jumped into a car and followed the two onto I-95, but lost the thieves in Fairfield.

"The victim was able to provide responding officers with a description of the occupants, the vehicle’s registration plate as well as a photograph that he had taken of the suspect vehicle," Prezioso said.

After an extensive investigation - which included "surveillance video and electronic evidence obtained from cell phones" - Westport detectives were able to identify the two suspects, with Alvarez being the driver.

Police obtained an arrest warrant for the two, and on Thursday morning, authorities apprehended Alvarez at his home. The second suspect, who Westport police did not identify, remains at-large.

Alvarez was held in lieu of a court set bond of $75,000. He was released after posting bond and is scheduled to appear in Norwalk Superior Court on Aug. 12.