Robbery Suspect Runs Out Of Gas, Gets Arrested: West Hartford PD

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A man accused of robbing a diner at gunpoint in West Hartford apparently wasn’t too concerned with laying low after allegedly committing the crime. Just hours after police say he robbed the Gold Roc Diner, and a day after they say he also robbed a Dunkin’ Donuts, the suspect was found throwing an empty gas can at passing motorists after running out of gas in Farmington.

Phiron Noun Mann, 34, of New Britain, was arrested after Farmington Police realized he matched the descriptions of the suspect that was sought in connection to the robberies in West Hartford. He also had outstanding warrants for his arrest, according to police.

Police originally responded to Dunkin’ Donuts, located at 1253 New Britain Avenue in West Hartford, at about 10:20 a.m. on March 13 on the report that a man threatened customers and a cashier while demanding money from the register. The suspect, who implied that he had a gun, left with an undetermined amount of money, according to police.

The cashier and witnesses provided police with descriptions of the suspect, vehicle and a partial license plate. Video surveillance of the robbery was sent to area departments, according to police.

Then, at about 3:15 a.m. on March 14, the Gold Roc Diner was robbed at gunpoint. The cashier told police the suspect brandished a gun during the robbery and left with cash from the register. Police said the suspect and suspect vehicle in the robbery matched the robbery from Dunkin Donuts. The information was again sent to area departments.

“Later that morning, Farmington Police responded to the area of Birdseye Road, Farmington, on a complaint of an unruly disabled motorist,” West Hartford Police wrote in a press release. “Farmington Police were able to determine the motorist ran out of gas and was throwing an empty gas can at passing motorists. Farmington Police realized this motorist and vehicle matched our broadcasts from our robberies.”

West Hartford Police and detectives responded to Farmington where Mann was taken into custody and his vehicle was seized. A BB gun was located in the vehicle, according to police.

Mann, of Jerome Drive in New Britain, was charged with two counts of first-degree robbery, two counts of second-degree threatening, carrying a dangerous weapon, weapon in a motor vehicle, fourth-degree larceny, sixth-degree larceny, first-degree failure to appear and second-degree failure to appear. He is being held on bonds totaling $208,000.

Pictured: Phiron Noun Mann, 34, of New Britain / West Hartford Police Department