West Hartford Police Investigating Apparent Robbery at Harvey’s Cafe Market
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West Hartford Police Department Interceptor SUV. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hartford Police notified West Hartford Police Monday night that an individual found walking on Windsor Street with his hands duct-taped together claimed the incident occurred at Harvey’s Cafe Market on Oakwood Avenue.
By Ronni Newton
West Hartford Police are actively investigating what Chief Vernon Riddick said was a “very disturbing robbery” that took place at Harvey’s Cafe Market Monday night.
During a presentation to the Town Council Tuesday night regarding security at houses of worship and measures that the police department is taking to combat car burglary and theft, Riddick also provided details about Monday’s incident.
Riddick said that Hartford Police contacted West Hartford Police at 10:30 p.m. Monday after an individual was found walking on Windsor Street in Hartford with his hands bound with duct tape. The individual told police that he had been robbed and tied to a chair and had his hands bound with duct tape earlier that night at Harvey’s Cafe Market at 162 Oakwood Ave. in West Hartford.
West Hartford Police went to Harvey’s, Riddick said, and discovered what appeared to be a crime scene.
He told We-Ha.com that when police arrived the door to the market was open. After police ensured that the building was empty they entered and “discovered evidence of a crime scene.”
Police obtained a search warrant for a warehouse in Hartford, and evidence found there has added credibility to the claim that something happened at Harvey’s, Riddick said. He was not able to provide details about what was found in the warehouse.
The victim was the son of the owner of Harvey’s Cafe Market, Riddick said.
The victim sought medical attention at a local hospital for what Riddick said were non-life-threatening injuries.
A car that had belonged to the victim’s family was stolen from the parking lot at Harvey’s, said Riddick. The vehicle was recovered Tuesday in Hartford.
Police are continuing to examine video, including from surveillance cameras in West Hartford and Hartford, and hope to release a description of the individual/individuals involved in this incident, Riddick said. He said he is unable to provide additional information at this time regarding how the victim got from West Hartford to Windsor Street which is in the north end of Hartford.
“We do not believe it was a random act,” Riddick said. “At this time there does not appear to be a danger to the public.”
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I am very concerned that crimes that are happening in west Hartford , reported on this site, are not being reported to/on? Local news.
We were at Bishops Corner and mentioned to the manager of a bank and another employee to be safe when leaving at night. They had no idea that the carjacking had occurred- and that was right across the street 4 days prior.
If we’re going to keep women (and all residents) safe, we need the Police Dept to deliver such information to the public.
And, no follow up to the two carjackings?? What is that about. One victim was hospitalized for days.
This site is local news, and news focused on West Hartford. I encourage everyone to follow it both through the free Monday/Wednesday/Friday newsletter and on social media. The police are sharing the information, and sent a press release to all media following the carjacking. They have also formed a task force and a follow up story is forthcoming. ~Ronni
[…] briefing the Council on what he called “a very disturbing robbery” at Harvey’s Cafe Market Monday night that remains under investigation, Riddick addressed the recent carjackings and carjacking attempt […]
[…] Hartford Police have arrested a suspect in connection with an incident that Chief Vernon Riddick earlier referred to as a “very disturbing robbery,” on charges that include kidnapping, assault, and first-degree […]