Police said two customers argued with an employee at the convenience store at the Shell gas station at 338 Park Road early Wednesday morning, and one of the individuals discharged a gun.

By Ronni Newton

West Hartford Police have arrested two individuals – a 34-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman – in connection with an incident involving a handgun early Wednesday morning inside the convenience store at the Shell gas station at 338 Park Road.

According to Assistant Chief Larry Terra, police were called to the scene at approximately 5:36 a.m. on a report of shots fired.

Officers determined that two customers had gotten into an argument with a store clerk regarding a purchase. The nature of the purchase was not disclosed by police.

According to police, the store clerk was holding a baseball bat while the male customer brandished a handgun, pointed in the direction of the clerk.

Police said one shot was fired inside the store, but no one was struck by the bullet.

The male and female customers were located by responding police, but the male, identified as Jamie Rocha-Olivares, 34, of no certain address, did not cooperate with police, who were required to use a taser as well as physical restraints to take him into custody. A handgun was located on his person, police said.

Rocha-Olivares has been charged with second-degree breach of peace, interference with an officer, five counts of second-degree reckless endangerment, first-degree threatening, first-degree criminal trespass, carrying a pistol without a permit, unlawful discharge of a firearm, and criminal attempt at first-degree assault.

He is in custody on $750,000 surety bond, police said, and due in court on Thursday.

According to online court data, Rocha-Olivares has additional charges pending from October 2023 involving drugs and motor vehicle violations.

Also arrested was Nicole Beagle, 40, of no certain address. She faces charges of second-degree breach of peace, interference with an officer, and second-degree violations of conditions of release.

Beagle is being held on $25,000 surety bond, and also due in court on Thursday.

Online court records indicate Beagle was charged with larceny for a Jan. 12 incident and had a previous conviction for interfering with an officer.

Police are continuing an active investigation of this incident and ask that anyone who has information contact police at 860-523-5203, or via the anonymous tip line at 860-570-8969 or email [email protected].

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