Police: Man arrested after allegedly robbing Shelton package store with AR-15-style rifle

Mike Mavredakis, Hartford Courant
Updated ·2 min read
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A Bridgeport man was arrested following a police pursuit after allegedly robbing a liquor store in Shelton using an AR-15-style assault rifle on Monday night, police said.

Officers responded to Cleto’s Package Store at 402 Howe Avenue around 7:30 p.m. for reports of an armed robbery. Police said they were told a 40- to 50-year-old man came into the store with an assault rifle and demanded money. The man then left the store with cash and other items, according to police.

Seymour police assisted with a K9 track, Shelton police said.

Detectives and officers were able to identify the suspect’s vehicle through video surveillance footage. The vehicle’s description was sent to other law enforcement agencies. Members of the Derby and New Haven police departments contacted Shelton police with further information based on the video.

The West Haven Police Department tracked the suspect’s vehicle, a GMC Terrain, around 10 p.m. Around 10:45 p.m., the West Haven police contacted Troop H to request assistance with a motor vehicle stop.

West Haven officers and state troopers followed the vehicle on Interstate 91 North near Exit 24 in Rocky Hill and attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver, later identified as 49-year-old Jose Balseiro Reyes, failed to stop and engaged police in a pursuit at speeds in excess of 100 mph before exiting the highway at Exit 33 in Hartford, state police said.

After exiting the highway, the vehicle hit a metal beam guardrail at Jennings Road and came to a stop, according to state police. Balseiro and a female passenger were taken into custody. Both suffered minor injuries and were transported to an area hospital, state police said.

State police issued a misdemeanor summons for Reyes charging him with reckless driving and engaging police in a pursuit. He was given a $10,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled for arraignment on the motor vehicle charges on Dec. 13 at New Britain Superior Court, state police said. The Hartford Police Department is investigating the collision.

Reyes was also charged with first-degree robbery and fifth-degree larceny in connection with the Shelton incident, as well as a violation of probation, Shelton police said. He was held in lieu of a $225,000 bond in connection with the alleged robbery and was scheduled to be arraigned in Derby Superior Court on Tuesday.

“The quick apprehension of the suspect was a result of several law enforcement agencies working together and sharing information with the goal to get this suspect swiftly into custody,” Shelton Lt. Robert Kozlowsky said in a release Tuesday.