Quick Response by Police Nab Two Teen Robbery Suspects

A quick response by police and the not-so-bright actions of the accused assailants led to the arrest of two last Friday night.

At about 8:05 p.m. on Feb. 18, Officer Moore and several other members of the Stratford police department were dispatched to Canaan Court on a report of a robbery called in by the victim.

Captain Wilcoxson, who was already near the scene on the corner of Pearl Harbor Street and Success Avenue, was the first to arrive on the scene and found Kobata Winderson, 30, of Barnum Avenue Cutoff, the victim, who described his assailants at two black males, one wearing a light colored shirt and the other wearing a dark colored shirt.

Capt. Wilcoxson broadcasted the descriptions and was still with the victim when Winderson pointed toward the back end of the parking lot and said, “that’s him.” Capt. Wilcoxson called for K-9 and backup assistance and then ran toward the two suspects, who were approximately 50 meters from his position.

"As I approached," Capt. Wilcoxson said, “I pointed my gun at the male in the black sweatshirt and pointed my laser sight on him and told him to get on the ground."

The man, later identified as Christopher Brown, 17, of Bridgeport , complied and laid down on the north side of the driveway on the sidewalk.

Meanwhile, Officer Moore arrived on the scene and observed a second suspect, later identified as Phillip Azor, 18, of Bridgeport walking down the south side of the sidewalk toward Success Avenue.

Capt. Wilcoxson pointed his laser at the second suspect and ordered him down, while Officer Moore and other officers responding detained him.

As Officer Moore was patting down Azor, Winderson positively identified Azor as one of his assailants. Officer Giansanti then place Azor under arrest and handcuffed him. He was advised of his rights before being placed in Officer Moore’s patrol car.

Winderson described the incident as beginning when he was delivering food to an address on Canaan Court. As he returned to his vehicle, he was approached by two males. One of them, later identified as Brown, allegedly grabbed the victim from behind and held him around the neck while the second assailant, Azor, approached from the front and pushed an object, which the victim originally thought to be a knife, into his stomach while repeatedly asking, “Where’s your money? Where’s your money?”

Winderson then stated that Azor reached around him and removed his wallet from his back pocket. Winderson said he did not resist and the suspects fled without further incident and then got into his vehicle and called police.

He reported about $50-$60 in cash missing, as well as assorted credit cards, his license and his BJ’s membership card.

K-9 Officer Clements arrived and an area check was made. However, neither the weapon, wallet nor the missing items were found.

Both Azor and Brown were transported to headquarters. There, Azor was charged with second degree robbery and sixth degree larceny and was held on $150,000 bond pending a March 2 court date.

Brown was charged with second degree robbery, sixth degree larceny and one count of unlawful restraint. He was also held on $150,000 bond pending his March 2 court appearance.