Man Pleads Guilty To Violent Robberies Of New London County Stores

NEW LONDON COUNTY, CT — A Bristol man has pleaded guilty to charges related to a string of violent robberies across the state, including several in New London County, according to a statement from Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.

Lonny Cross, 45, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery and one count of Hobbs Act Robbery. He is scheduled sentencing for Aug. 21 and faces up to 40 years in prison.

According to prosecutors, Cross committed 37 robberies and attempted robberies of gas station convenience stores, mini-markets, and liquor stores in 2022.

Several of the robberies occurred on the same day, only minutes apart. Cross typically traveled to the stores with an accomplice who would sometimes enter the store to determine the number of employees and customers in the store, exit the store, and then report that information to Cross.

Cross then entered the store, displayed a knife or facsimile gun while threatening employees, and stole cash and other items, according to prosecutors.

Stores robbed included the following in New London County:

• Sam's Food Store on Washington Street in Norwich
• Price Cutter Vape & Smoke Shop on Norwich Road in Waterford
• 5 Corners Market, a/k/a Pump N Munch, on Poquonnock Road in Groton
• Mobil Gas Station on East Main Street in Stonington
• Pumpkin Hill Market on Gallup Hill Road in Ledyard

An investigation led to a search of Cross' home and a Chevrolet Impala that he drove. Investigators found clothing worn by Cross in several of the robberies as well as quantities of heroin, crack cocaine, and drug paraphernalia, according to prosecutors.

Police also found 120 bags of heroin, approximately 14 grams of crack, and a knit hat matching the description of one worn by Cross during a robbery the day before. Cross, who was on state parole, was arrested on state charges on that date. He has been detained since his arrest.