On January 4, 2011 at 6:44 pm, Branford Police Received a 911 call from A & M Service Station located at 117 North Main St., reporting that they were just held up and a weapon was implied, but not shown.  The suspect, described as a Hispanic male, approximately 6’ tall, 220 lbs with his face covered with a white cloth (possibly a white t-shirt), carrying a gas can entered the service station and demanded the clerk to open the cash draw.  There were two employees and a friend of one of the employees in the station at the time. 

The suspect ordered two of the victims to the rear of the service station then directed the third victim to open the register.  The suspect then reached over the counter, removed an undetermined amount of cash from the register draw and directed the last victim to the rear of the service station. The suspect fled in an unknown direction.  A police k-9 search was conducted; however it is believed the suspect may have had a vehicle close by. 

There were no injuries as a result of the incident.  The Branford Police Department is asking for anyone with information that may help identify the suspect to call the Branford Police Department Detective Division at 203-481-4241.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

People’s Bank Hold-Up

22 Leetes Island Rd inside Stop & Shop.

On January 3, 2011 at 11:43 am, Branford Police Received a 911 call from the People’s Bank located inside Stop & Shop at 22 Leetes Island Rd. indicating that they were just held up.  The suspect, a white male approximately 45 to 50 years old, 5’8” to 5’11” approached the counter and passed a hold up note that was concealed in a plastic shopping bag. (see attached photos)  The demand note said “give me the money or die”  There were no weapons displayed at the time of the robbery and nobody was hurt.  The bank personnel complied and a undetermined amount of money was passed to the suspect. 

The suspect then exited the store and proceeded to East Industrial Rd where he got into the rear seat of an older model grey car, believed to be a Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, which was parked adjacent to Stop & Shop opposing oncoming traffic and occupied by at least 2 other people. 

The Branford Police Department is requesting assistance from anyone who may have been in the area that witnessed the incident or anyone who can identify the suspect caught on the surveillance video.  All calls can be made to the Branford Police Department Detective Division at 203-481-4241.  Information received will be confidential.

Branford Police are investigating a robbery that happened last evening after the 64 year old female victim returned home from shopping. The incident occurred on Orchard Hill Road, in the Branford Hills section of town, just before 9:00 pm. as the victim was removing items from her car. She was approached from behind by a male wearing a black cap and plaid jacket, who pulled her pocketbook from her arms and ran into a nearby wooded area.

Responding police officers, as well as the departments K-9, combed the area for the assailant and possible evidence including the victim’s belongings.

Police are reminding residents as well as shoppers to be vigilant of their surroundings and their personal belongings.

Chief John DeCarlo said, “Our mission during the holiday season remains focused on the prevention of crime and victimization of our citizens. People can assist us by having a heightened awareness of their surroundings,” the Chief continued, “please be observant of suspicious people in parking areas and around your home. Most importantly, please report any unusual or suspicious activity to the police immediately.”

If anyone has any information concerning the robbery, they should contact Detective Ryan Tobin at
203-481-4241.

Branford Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that happened this morning at about 2:26 a.m. on Hosley Avenue. The incident is the fourth serious crash to be investigated by police in the past week.

The crash was reported by Juan Pablo Chuva (DOB 2/17/1988) of 17 Gentile Place, Branford who was a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the incident.  Juan Chuva had to run about a mile to a nearby home to report the crash due to the secluded nature of where it occurred.

Arriving police officers and members of Branford Fire Department located the crash site and discovered Giovanny Chuva (DOB 9/11/1980) of 17 Gentile Place, Branford had been ejected from the motor vehicle at the time of the crash. Paramedics pronounced Giovanny Chuva, who is the brother of Juan Chuva, deceased at the scene. Juan Chuva was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital for further medical treatment.

Sergeant Kris Hormuth, who supervised the investigation, said that officers are piecing the facts and circumstance leading to the crash together. Sergeant Hormuth said. “It appears at this juncture in the investigation that Giovanny was the operator of the vehicle and that speed was a factor.” She continued, “We have documented and collected evidence at the scene which will be further analyzed by our accident reconstruction officer for a final determination.”

Lishan Wang

The suspect in the homicide that occurred this morning at 255 Blueberry Lane is identified as Lishan Wang (DOB 1/23/1966) with a last known address of 3546 South East River Heights Crossing Marietta, Georgia. Wang is a Chinese National from Beijing.

Wang was taken into custody for the homicide of Vajinder Pal Toor M.D. Dr. Toor was affiliated with Yale University as a postdoctoral fellow, however there is no connection between the assailant and the victim that relates to the victim’s employment at Yale.

Chief John DeCarlo said, “Our agency is looking at a number of motives for this homicide. One is the possibility that Dr. Toor and Lishan Wang had a previous working relationship at a hospital in New York. We are unsure of the extent of their interactions at this time.”

Wang is being charged with Murder, Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder, Weapons In a Motor Vehicle, Carrying a Handgun without a Permit, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm. Wang is being held on a $2,000,000.00 bond.

Today at approximately 7:50 a.m. Branford Police were notified of gunshots and a possible shooting outside of 255 Blueberry Lane in the Meadows Condominiums. Citizens provided police with detailed information concerning a possible suspect and a vehicle that was fleeing the area.

Officer Joseph Peterson stopped the vehicle in the vicinity of the shooting and the lone suspect was taken into custody. Evidence in plain view within the vehicle preliminarily linked the suspect to the shooting.

Officers arriving at Blueberry Lane located the victim, Vajinder Pal Toor (DOB 11-22-75), who had been shot multiple times while in the parking near his residence. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by Branford Fire Department paramedics. The victim was an M.D. working with the infectious disease section of Yale-New Haven Hospital. Chief John DeCarlo said that “Branford Police have determined that the shooting was not random and has no connection to the Yale community.”

During the investigation it was also determined that the victim’s wife had also been shot at however was unharmed.

Detective Lt. William Carroll, who is heading the investigation, said “Our detectives will be working closely with members of the Connecticut State Police Major Crime to piece this homicide together.”

Chief John DeCarlo credits the swift apprehension to the callers who provided such detailed information. “Although our officers are very skilled at what they do, it’s the continued support and cooperation of the public that make these types of investigations successful.” The Chief continued, “Our agency and grief counselors from the Branford Counseling Center are working closely with the victim’s family.”

The assailant, a Chinese National, whose identity is being withheld at this time, will be charged with Murder and Criminal attempt to Commit Murder. Branford Police indicated that there is no danger to the public at this time.

A man was shot to death this morning @8:00am just outside of his home on Blueberry Lane. The man is reported to be a Doctor at Yale New Haven Hospital, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Another man was taken into custody a short distance from the scene on Brushy Plain Rd. Police report this subject is the alleged shooter. Branford Police have called the Connecticut State Police major Crime Squad in for assistance.

The Police Department also sent out a phone message to area residents telling them that they are safe as this appears to be an isolated incident.