Thursday, Oct. 29, at approximately 10 p.m., an assault in progress was reported on the Greenway across from Larry’s package store. Officers Kalvaitis and Pelletier responded after a good Samaritan who witnessed the assault called 911 and observed two suspects run from the scene, one male and one female. That person also provided the license plate number of the vehicle the suspects were observed exiting before the assault.
Before arrived at the scene, Officer Kalvaitis saw the vehicle on Tucker Hill Rd and stopped it with the assistance of Officer Pelletier. The vehicle was operated by a Jacqueline Threlfall, 24, of Middlebury.
Officer Demers arrived on the scene with his K9, Jay, and with the assistance of Naugatuck Officer Brynne, Sgt. Desmarais and Officer Kalvatis, a track for additional suspects was commenced. K9 Jay found two additional suspects lying down in a wooded area of Brook Lane. The suspects were identified as Isiah Vargas, 26, of Waterbury and Ashley Berrotte, 26, of Waterbury.
Also assisting on the track and apprehension was Sgt.Mike Roach of the Connecticut State Police.
The victim, a 37-year-old male from Middlebury, was walking on the Greeway when he was approached by Berrotte. At this point Vargas came up behind him and began to physically assault him. The victim was punched multiple times in the head and when he fell to the ground, the suspects emptied his backpack and stole his cell phone. Both suspects were seen leaving in a vehicle Threlfall was operating prior to the robbery/assault.
The police arrested all three. Vargas was charged with second-degree robbery, sixth-degree larceny, third-degree assault, and carrying a dangerous weapon in a motor vehicle. His bond was set at $10,000.
Berrotte was charged with second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery and sixth-degree larceny, and her bond was set at $10,000.
Threlfall was charged with second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery and sixth-degree larceny, and her bond was set at $10,000.
The victim suffered multiple cuts and abrasions and was treated at the scene by Middlebury Volunteer Fired Department Ambulance.
Middlebury Police Chief said the officers who responded to the scene should be commended for their quick response and immediate apprehension of the robbery suspects. Additionally, the good Samaritan’s ability to provide accurate information dramatically assisted the officers in making these apprehensions. He also acknowledged the assistance received from other agencies, in particular Naugatuck and the State Police. He said, “It is through this cooperative effort that law enforcement was successful in the apprehension of three violent felons.”
