Community Corner

Southington Police: Ex-Employee Arrested in Wendy's Robbery

Police said the 21-year-old Waterbury resident committed a snatch and run at the Queen Street restaurant then shoved his way out the door when the manager and a customer attempted to stop him.

A judge has ordered a former employee of the Wendy’s fast food restaurant on Queen Street held on bond after police said multiple witnesses identified him in a snatch and run robbery in which he shoved aside a customer and manager to escape.

Southington police said Robert Louis Desjardins III, 21, entered the 328 Queen St. restaurant on Sunday and reached over the counter to take several handfuls of cash. The manager and a customer attempted to subdue him, but he fought free before fleeing the scene on foot.

Desjardins, of 88 Alexander Ave. in Waterbury, is facing charges of second-degree larceny and third-degree robbery in the case, according to court records. He remains in custody at the Hartford Correctional Center in lieu of a $50,000 bond.

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Southington Police Sgt. Jeffrey Dobratz said police were able to obtain a warrant for Desjardins after several employees identified him immediately following the incident. He had been an employee of the restaurant until recently, Dobratz said.

“The employee working at the register at the time said he allegedly reached over the counter and opened the register, then took a bunch of cash before turning to leave,” Dobratz said. “The drawer was balanced to determine he had left with $230.”

According to a police report, as Desjardins was taking the money a customer and the store manager attempted to block his exit. The customer grabbed Desjardins, who fought back before sprinting from the restaurant.

Police contacted Desjardins, leaving him a voicemail, but the 21-year-old did not respond. He turned himself in on Tuesday but did not agree to be interviewed by police.

Desjardins has a criminal history that includes several convictions out of Plymouth. He pled guilty to two separate charges of third-degree criminal mischief in two cases from November 2009, as well as one charge of violating a protective order in December 2009.

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