Hartford, Windsor Teens Charged After Wild Wethersfield Robbery

WETHERSFIELD, CT — Two suspects are in custody and one on the loose after an armed robbery in broad daylight at a Berlin Turnpike liquor store Wednesday ended with the suspects' crashing a stolen vehicle in East Hartford.

The Wethersfield Police Department said two suspects were arrested after fleeing the crash, but a third appears to have gotten away.

In custody, police said, are Elijah Johnson, 19, of Allen Street, Windsor, and Damian Gordon, 18, of Love Lane, Hartford.

Both have been charged with: first-degree robbery; conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery; second-degree larceny; and conspiracy to commit second-degree larceny.

Both suspects are being held on $500,000 bond and were expected to appear in New Britain Superior Court Thursday, Dec. 1.

According to Wethersfield police, a male victim was driving his 2022 Maserati sport utility vehicle north on the Berlin Turnpike at about 1:14 p.m. Wednesday.

The motorist, police said, then parked his Maserati in the parking lot of 5-15 Wine & Spirit, located at 1698 Berlin Turnpike in Wethersfield.

The WPD said the victim entered the store and, while the man was inside, a black Mercedes, reported stolen out of New Haven, parked next to his Maserati.

Police said when the male victim exited the store, three males wearing masks and armed with handguns exited the Mercedes and approached him.

The three suspects then removed items from the SUV, including keys to the car, before fleeing the scene in both vehicles north of the Route 5/15 connector to merge with Interstates 91 and 84, according to police.

Following a joint investigation that included the Wethersfield, Hartford and East Hartford police departments, the Maserati was found occupied at 1259 Burnside Ave. in East Hartford, police said.

When EHPD officers attempted to make contact with the occupants of the SUV, a "brief motor vehicle pursuit" ensued, Wethersfield police said.

Police said the vehicle crashed near 1052 Burnside Ave. in East Hartford with the three suspects fleeing on foot.

Officers were able to apprehend two of the suspects, but a third was able to escape custody, police said.

EHPD officers determined the two individuals were involved in the Wethersfield incident and they were transferred to the Wethersfield Police Department.

The investigation continues and the Wethersfield Police Department thanked all other departments assisting in the probe.

"Great work to all involved and thank you to Hartford PD and East Hartford PD for your assistance in this investigation," Wethersfield police wrote on social media.

Anyone with information on this case can call the Wethersfield Police Department at 860-721-2900.