Bridgeport robbery suspects busted

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) -- Four men were arrested after an armed robbery in Bridgeport last week.

Just after 6 p.m., a 51-year-old victim said he was held up by a group of young men, in the area of Norman and Fremont streets.

The victim told police he was walking home from the Gigante Store when he felt what he believed to be a gun pressed against his back and heard a man say, "don't turn around."

The robbers then rifled through the victim's pockets and took two packs of cigarettes and his wallet, which contained a small amount of cash. The victim then saw them run toward Marina Village.

Rather than just taking the report, an officer went to the store to follow up. The officer then learned that a group of men who has been hanging out in front followed the victim toward Norman Street after he left the store.

While the officer was at the store, a concerned citizen approached him and pointed out a group of men walking across the street. They were some of the people who were hanging out earlier.

Officers then detained five people.

One, 20-year-old Taquan Jefferies, of 138 Garden St., had two packs of cigarettes in his pocket and a bb gun in his backpack. Jefferies told police that a Hispanic male willingly gave him the packs after he had asked for a cigarette.

However, the victim did not agree with the story. He also identified four of the men as the muggers.

Additionally, after retracing the suspects' route, police found the victim's ID and a copy of his social security card discarded on the sidewalk.

Jefferies; 20-year-old Petrelle Thompson, of 109 Vine St.; 20-year-old Marcos Beltran, of 1220 State St.; and 23-year-old Vondaia Ramsey, of 446 Ridgefield Ave., all face robbery and conspiracy charges.