Suspects Charged In Vernon Robbery Chase That Ended In Somers

VERNON, CT — Both suspects in a robbery that originated in Vernon and ended with a crash in Somers have been charged and are being held on respective $1 million bonds, police said.

Shane Sturgeon, 31, of Coventry, was charged with:

• First-degree robbery
• First-degree larceny
• Interfering with police
• First-degree threatening
• Criminal possession of a firearm
• Third-dehree criminal mischief
• Conspiracy charges related to larceny, robbery and threatening
• Engaging police in a pursuit
• Reckless driving
• Driving while under suspension

Shakiem Anthony Dessasure, 19, of Chicopee, MA, was charged with:

• First-degree robbery
• First-degree larceny
• Interfering with police
• First-degree threatening
• Criminal possession of a firearm
• Third-dehree criminal mischief
• Conspiracy charges related to larceny, robbery and threatening

At 7:49 p.m. on Friday, Vernon Police received a report of an armed robbery at the Verizon Store located at 425 Talcottville Road. The clerk reported that two men entered the store, armed with handguns, and took cell phones and cash, police said.

The two men then fled in a vehicle, according to a report.

Vernon officers began to check the area for the vehicle and it was spotted on Route 190 near Hall Hill Road in Somers, according to a report.

A pursuit ensued and the chase continued east on Route 190 and north onto Route 83 and the vehicle crashed on Route 83, just north of Northwest Drive in Somers, police said. One of the suspects was taken into custody near the vehicle and a second suspect fled on foot, according to a report.

A Vernon police canine unit, along with Somers police and state police, searched for the
second suspect and he was located outside a nearby house, according to a report.

Dessasure has been released from Hartford Hospital and is being held at the Vernon Police Department. Sturgeon is still at Hartford Hospital in police custody. Both are expected in court on Monday, police said.

No one else was injured, police said.

Vernon detectives and a Connecticut State Police canine unit returned to Somers Sunday morning, investigating the area near Sonny's Place on Route 190 and Route 83 near Northwest Drive.

"We have finished our search, but the investigation is continuing," Lt. William Meier said.

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel

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