Meriden Man Steals Gas by Threatening Relative's 2-Year-Old at Knife-Point: Police

A Meriden man has been charged with stealing gas by threatening a relative’s 2-year-old son with a knife at two separate gas stations in Meriden and Wallingford, according to NBC Connecticut.

Richard Stevenson, 25, was arrested by Wallingford, Meriden and state police for the incidents, which occurred late Wednesday night.

NBC reports a clerk at the Gulf Express on North Colony Road in Wallingford called police at 11:54 p.m. to report a man (Stevenson), who was carrying a young child, entered the store and put $8 on the counter but demanded $40 worth of gas.

When the clerk questioned him, Stevenson pulled out a knife and held it toward the child, then pumped gas and left in a white vehicle, according to NBC.

The Meriden Record-Journal reports that as Wallingford officers were responding to the scene, they were alerted to a similar situation in Meriden that officers there were responding to.

Meriden police gave a vehicle and plate description, along with Stevenson’s identity, and he was soon apprehended by state and Meriden police.

The child was unharmed in the incidents.

Stevenson was charged by Wallingford police with first-degree robbery, risk of injury to a minor and reckless endangerment. Meriden police charged Stevenson with first-degree reckless endangerment, criminal attempt of first-degree assault, second-degree threatening, risk of injury and breach of peace.

Richard Stevenson, 25, of Meriden / Wallingford Police Department photo

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