FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 22, 2010

BRANFORD POLICE ARREST MAN ON ARMED ROBBERY CHARGES

Branford Police officers responded to a complaint of a man robbed at knife point just after midnight on Sunday morning. The victim told police that he was walking home, carrying an XBOX in a canvass bag from a friend’s house in East Haven. When he was near Brothers Harley Davidson on West Main Street he was approached by a black male on a bicycle. The black male displayed a knife and told the victim to give him the bag or he would “poke him”. The victim surrendered the bag and the suspect fled, heading west on West Main Street. The victim was able to flag down a motorist to call 911.

The suspect, later identified as Christian O. Isaac (DOB 1/10/1990) of 343 Poplar St., New Haven, was spotted a short time later by Officer Richard Kenney on West Main Street riding a bicycle. Isaac continued to flee from P.O. Kenney on the bike and traveled off the road toward 150 West Main Street. Isaac then struck a retaining wall and toppled off the wall with the bicycle which broke into pieces.  The knife and XBOX were recovered by P.O. Kenney by the base of the wall however Isaac fled on foot into the Lake Saltonstall property and officers were unable to immediately locate him. 

As police surrounded the property waiting for a police K-9 to arrive, Officers Lue Sobieraj and Rashaad Roach heard movement in the immediate area and were later able to capture and take Isaac into custody.

As a result of falling off the retaining wall, Isaac injured his arm and was transported to a hospital for treatment.

Chief John DeCarlo credits the swift capture of Isaac to the hard proactive work of the officers. “P.O. Kenney was working an extra, grant funded detail to reduce drunken drivers in the West Main Street area. Because he was in the area, he along with the other officers was able to capture this dangerous person.” DeCarlo said.

Christian Isaac was charged with Robbery First Degree, Larceny Fifth Degree, Criminal Trespass Third Degree and Interfering with an Officer.  Isaac is held on a $75000 bond.