Florida Man Admits To Robbery Spree That Reached Stratford: Feds

STRATFORD, CT — A Florida man pleaded guilty Monday in Hartford federal court to robbing a bank in Stratford earlier this year, according to authorities. Robert Abel, 55, of St. Augustine, Florida, also admitted to two armed robberies in Florida and a carjacking in South Carolina, U.S. States Attorney John H. Durham announced in a press release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on Feb. 11, Abel brandished a long silver blade and robbed a McDonald’s restaurant in East Palm Coast, Florida. The next day, while brandishing a long knife, he robbed a CVS in St. Augustine, Florida. Abel stole a total of approximately $733 during those two robberies.

On Feb. 15, Abel stole a car from a woman in South Carolina during a carjacking in which he ordered the victim not to move or he would shoot her, according to authorities.

Then, on Feb. 17, Abel stole $1,517 during a robbery of a Webster Bank branch in Stratford. He then attempted to rob a Walgreens Pharmacy in Stratford, but left the store without any money.

Abel was arrested by Stratford Police in connection to the bank robbery and the attempted robbery of Walgreens after the stolen car he was driving crashed in Milford, police said at the time. Abel has been detained since his arrest on Feb. 17.

Abel is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 31, 2018 at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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