Armed Robbery Suspects Sought by West Hartford Police

The West Hartford Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying two suspects responsible for the Saturday night armed robbery of the House of Tobacco on New Britain Avenue.

The incident occurred just before 8:30 p.m. when a ”light-skinned black male wearing a dark hooded sweat shirt, dark pants, and a black baseball style hat” entered the store and approached an employee requesting change for a bill, according to police.

“When the cashier opened the register, the male took out a black handgun and struck the employee in the face,” police wrote in a release. “The male suspect proceeded to remove cash from the register. A witness entered the store as the first suspect is proceeding to the exit. A second suspect, a darker-skinned black male wearing a black hoodie and pants, enters the store and approaches the witness/victim with a knife demanding his wallet. Suspect 1 proceeded to collect more currency from the register while Suspect 2 was robbing the witness/victim of his wallet. The two suspects exit the store and left in a dark colored vehicle, possibly an SUV.”

The suspect with the gun is described as having a distinctive tattoo under his left eye (as seen in picture). How much money was taken was not disclosed.

Anyone with information on the incident are urged to contact West Hartford Police Det. Ben DelMonte, the lead investigator, at 860-570-8877.

Photo: Screen shot of surveillance video of Suspect 1, who was involved in the armed robbery of the House of Tobacco on Nov. 21. Photo credit: West Hartford Police