Suspect Charged For 2024 Armed Robbery At West Hartford Retail Store: Police

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Police have arrested a 47-year-old Willimantic man in connection with an armed robbery at a New Britain Avenue discount store in late 2024, authorities said Thursday.

According to the West Hartford Police Department, David Chaparro, 47, of Willimantic, who was already incarcerated on unrelated charges, was arrested Tuesday in connection with the robbery.

He faces one count of first-degree robbery and was arraigned the same day in Hartford Superior Court. He remains in custody, police said.

Officers responded to the Family Dollar at 939 New Britain Ave. around 6:06 p.m. on Dec. 14, 2024, after receiving a report of a robbery.

Investigators said a man entered the store, displayed a handgun from his sweatshirt, and demanded money before leaving on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

No injuries were reported.

The case was assigned to the West Hartford Police Department’s Detective Division, which conducted interviews and collected evidence.

DNA recovered at the scene was submitted to the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory and produced a match in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), identifying a possible suspect, police said.

Based on that evidence, detectives obtained an arrest warrant.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the West Hartford Police Department tip line at 860-570-8969 or email whpdtips@westhartfordct.gov.