UPDATE: Arrests Made in String of CT Radio Shack Robberies

Update 6:00 PM, Monday, June 17

Clinton Police Sergeant Joseph Flynn tells Clinton Patch in an email that Carbonell's DNA linked him to the crime in Clinton.

"The Ct. State forensic Lab was able to match DNA recovered by Clinton officers with Carbonell's DNA which was in the CODIS data base as a convicted felon," Flynn  said in an email. 

According to a press release provided by the New Haven Department of Police Service,  approximately $300,000.00 in electronic merchandise was stolen in all. 

The press release also states the following arrest dates and locations for the three suspects that have been apprehended:

Forenzo Rakeem Murphy: Arrested June 04, 2013 in Bridgeport
Lorraine Nicole Outlaw: Arrested June 04, 2013 in Bridgeport
Michael Carbonell: Arrested June 14, 2013 in Milford, CT

The warrants were executed at 361 Dover Street in Bridgeport, CT, 416 Gregory Street in Bridgeport, CT, 672 Newhall Street in Hamden, CT, 3 Crofton Street in New Haven, CT and 392 Burr Street in New Haven CT. 
   
Photos of the three suspects were also provided (see photos). 

Update 4:30 PM, Monday, June 17

The following story is written and reported by Gary Jeanfaivre:

In what was the culmination of a five-month investigation involving the FBI and police from eight towns, authorities announced today the arrest of three individuals who allegedly robbed hundreds of cell phones from local electronic stores.

A fourth suspect remains at large, police said. It is expected that he'll be in custody soon.

The robbery spree started on Jan. 27 and lasted through May 16. During that time, the suspects stole about 400 cell phones from Radio Shacks and an AT&T store and a Verizon one, in the following towns:

• Orange
• New Haven
• Trumbull
• East Haven
• Hamden
• Wallingford
• Clinton
• New Britain

Police said handguns were either displayed or implied at the robberies, which typically took place either right before closing or just after opening. Store employees were tied up in at least two of the robberies.

Robert Lawlor, Det. Sgt. with the New Haven Police Department, said it was after the third robbery in Hamden that authorities realized these weren't isolated incidents -- given the similar descriptions of the suspects and their "M.O."

Lawlor said the suspects were selling the smart phones on the street, and that police have recovered very few of them.

The suspects arrested are:

Lorraine Nicole Outlaw, 20, of Bridgeport, on charges from Orange Police of second-degree robbery, first-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit second-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny. She was held on a $500,000 bond.

Forenza Rakeem Murphy, 21, of Bridgeport, on charges from Orange Police of second-degree robbery, first-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit second-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny. She was held on a $500,000 bond.

Michael Salvatore Carbonell, 22, of New Haven, on charges from Clinton Police of second-degree robbery, first-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit second-degree robbery, and unlawful restraint. He was held on a $250,000 bond.

Still at large is Demetrius Wilkes, 22, of an unknown address. He's wanted by Trumbull Police on charges of first-degree robbery and first-degree larceny.

Authorities say several additional warrants for these individuals are pending.

Original Story

The following is a press release from the New Haven Department of Police Service: 

Police from eight Connecticut municipalities along with Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have concluded a nearly five month long investigation into a string of armed robberies in Clinton, East Haven, Hamden, New Britain, New Haven, Orange, Trumbull and Wallingford.

The investigation has tied together nine robberies and two attempted robberies. Seven of the robberies were perpetrated at Radio Shack stores. Two others were perpetrated at an AT&T store and a Verizon store.

Several arrests have been made in the heists.

The details of the crime spree, those arrested and the multi-department cooperative investigation will be revealed at an upcoming Press Event and release.