Armed Bar Robbery Set Up With Inside Information: Report

STRATFORD, CT — The armed robbery of BAR in Stratford last month in which a bartender was shot was apparently the result of inside information from a former bouncer, according to the Connecticut Post.

According to the Post, Jachim Brown, 27, is accused of stealing a bin that contained payroll cash payments for nearly 80 employees of bars owned by Vincent Curcio Jr. based on information provided by Eric Chambers, a former bouncer who knew when the payroll was being delivered to BAR. Brown is accused of shooting Regi Woodard in the abdomen on the way out of the bar during the Nov. 14 robbery.

Brown was arrested Nov. 30 and charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree assault, first-degree threatening, criminal possession of a pistol/revolver, criminal possession of ammunition and carrying a firearm without a permit. He has pleaded not guilty and asked for a jury trial, according to the Post. Brown is also awaiting trial for allegedly exchanging gunfire with Bridgeport Police after robbing a shoe store on Nov. 16. He is being held on a $500,000 bond and his next court date is Jan. 22, according to state judicial records.

Chambers, 33, of Bridgeport, was charged with first-degree robbery and is being held on a $250,000 bond. He has pleaded not guilty and his next court date is Jan. 2.

Chambers dropped Brown off at BAR the night of the robbery but told police that he didn’t know a robbery was going to take place, according to the Post. Chambers also told police that it was just a coincidence that he had been outside of four of the seven different robberies Brown has allegedly confessed to committing, the Post reported.

Woodard recently underwent his fifth surgery related to the shooting, according to a GoFundMe page launched to help him with medical expenses. Woodard was recovering well and began physical therapy at Bridgeport Hospital a couple of weeks ago, according to an update on the GoFundMe page.

“We will be remembering them (the hospital staff) and will be thankful for their efforts for many, many years to come,” the update reads. “For now, Regi needs rest and rehab. But rest assured, the day for a big celebration is in sight and we look forward to expressing our love and appreciation to all those who have prayed, donated money, delivered food and shared kind words. This journey was made possible by this strong and awesome community!!”

More than $16,000 has been raised by nearly 280 people since the GoFundMe account was created a month ago.

Read more about Brown’s court appearance at the Connecticut Post here.

File photo of shooting suspect via the Stratford Police Department