Police: Suspect Who Used Wheelchair, Pepper Spray To Rob Stamford Jewelry Shop Under Arrest
STAMFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork) - Stamford police say a man accused of using pepper spray and pretending to need a wheelchair to steal a $27,000 Rolex watch has been arrested.
Larry Johnson of Mt. Vernon, New York, is being held on a $350,000 court appearance bond for the Stamford robbery.
Stamford police say the 38-year-old Johnson was apprehended Friday night in New Rochelle, New York, on a domestic disturbance call.
Stamford Jewelry Store Robbery Suspect Arrested
It was not known Monday if Johnson is represented by a lawyer.
"He's got about 20 prior convictions, very serious charges, sexual assault, assault on police officers, those type of things," Stamford Police Capt. Richard Conklin told WCBS 880's Fran Schneidau.
Conklin says Johnson's fingerprints were lifted from the discarded wheelchair, Schneidau reported.
Survellance video from the Aug. 2 incident showed the robbery inside Sidney Thomas Jewelers in the Stamford Mall.
In the video, you can see the man circling a display case at the store. He then chats with a clerk and rolls up next to a display case full of Rolex watches.
Another clerk joins the two, and the man then begins shopping.
The clerk behind the counter hands the man a watch. He tries it on, but rejects it. The man then points to another watch, which the clerk, wearing a white glove, hands to him. He scrutinizes it, but again decides it is not for him and points to a third watch. The clerk hands the man the watch – worth $27,000 – and he puts it on. He then twists his wrist a few times to check the watch out, and apparently satisfied, jumps into action.
Using his legs, the man pushes his wheelchair back suddenly, knocking one of the saleswomen away. He then bolts for the door. On the way out he encounters a security guard, whom he knocks down and attacks with pepper spray, according to police.
Conklin told Schneidau he fears the stolen Rolex was sold.
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