NEW HAVEN POLICE MAKE ARRESTS FOLLOWING ATTEMPTED ROBBERY ON DIXWELL AVENUE

(12/2/2008) NEW HAVEN- New Haven Police responded to Dexter’s Barbershop on Dixwell Avenue at approximately 11 p.m. Monday on a report of an attempted robbery and exchange of gun fire. Officers saw gunfire taking place between two parties in front of the barbershop as two suspects fled the scene, one by foot and the second by entering a vehicle traveling south on Dixwell.

Witnesses state that the owner of the barbershop was preparing to close-up when he was approached by two masked men attempting to rob him. During the course of the robbery, two store owners from an adjacent business came to the assistance of the victim, armed with legal fire arms. At that point during the incident, the two concerned citizens exchanged gun fire with the two suspects. One suspect jumped into the vehicle belonging to the owner of Dexter’s Barbershop but proceeded to crash it into a telephone poll. That suspect proceeded to exit the vehicle and enter the vehicle that was driving south on Dixwell Avenue.

A short time later, members of the New Haven Gun Unit observed a suspicious vehicle containing three occupants in the parking lot of Presidential Gardens at 573 Dixwell Avenue. Upon approaching the vehicle, the suspects fled but were soon apprehended by police and arrested. Arrested in this incident were: a 16-year-old New Haven resident charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, interfering and trespassing in the 3rd; 31-year-old Roger Sullivan of New Haven charged with trespassing in the 3rd and interfering and 24-year-old Michael Chesson of New Haven charged with trespassing in the 3rd and interfering. It is unclear, at this point, whether or not these individuals are responsible for the robbery incident earlier in the evening.

[END]

Contact Name: Jessica Mayorga

Contact Email: jmayorga@newhavenct.net

Contact Phone: 203-946-7660