Six suspects charged in 2-day crime spree across multiple towns

By Mary Ellen Godin Record-Journal staff

At a press conference last Friday, police agencies from five different towns described a reckless, 48-hour crime spree that police believe began with a stolen Hyundai in Darien, then a purse snatching in an apartment complex in Torrington, an armed robbery in Southington, a car fire in Hubbard Park in Meriden, armed robberies in Branford, North Haven and Wallingford and ended in a head-on crash with a Meriden police cruiser on South Broad Street.

“This group of individuals are responsible for thefts occurring in multiple communities across the state,” said Meriden Detective Lt. Shane Phillips. “They were deliber- ately trying to engage police by driving in a reckless, dangerous fashion. We believe they are a substantial danger to the community and we see further charges.”

According to police, after recklessly driving through Wallingford, and committing a robbery at Walmart, the suspects crossed the Meriden border on Route 5 Thursday, Aug. 10. Upon seeing police, the operator did a u-turn and crashed the stolen Hyundai into a cruiser at 385 S. Broad St. Six individuals, two adults and four juveniles, were arrested after trying to flee from police following the crash at about 7 p.m.

Robert Barbera, 18, of Broad Street, Meriden, was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, interfering, three counts of risk of injury to a minor, evading responsibility, operating without a license, reckless endangerment, first-degree reckless driving and engaging in pursuit. Barbera, who had an outstanding warrant in Cheshire, is being held on $1 million bond.

Also arrested was Kyle Mitchell-Howe, 20, of Maple Street, Meriden, who was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, and interfering. His bond was set at $500,000.

The four juveniles were not identified, but one individual had an outstanding warrant and was sent to juvenile detention in Hartford. No other information was available for the other juveniles.

Two firearms were found in the stolen Hyundai, in addition to items tracing back to the armed robberies.

Meriden Mayor Kevin

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