Luck runs out for library robber

Glastonbury (WTNH) - A man called Lucky isn't exactly living up to his name; he's accused of robbing a woman at knife point at a Glastonbury Library and now faces robbery charges.

Lucky Rice, 33, surrendered to police Wednesday morning for allegedly holding up a young woman at the Welles Turner Library.

"By Thursday, we had identified Mr. Rice as a suspect. By Friday, we had secured an arrest warrant for his arrest and we spent the remaining time over the weekend trying to find him," said Sgt. Joel White of the Glastonbury Police Department.

Police say the 19-year-old woman was in the study room when Rice approached her, brandishing an 8-inch knife, getting away with cash, a laptop and her wallet.

Glastonbury Police tell News Channel 8 the public was key to closing this case. The vigilance of the victim and the community was crucial to getting their man.

"We commend the young woman for keeping her composure and doing what she needed to do to prevent harm. We also are very appreciative of all the assistance we got from her, as well as other witnesses in that incident," said Sgt. White. "It has been kind of a trying time for us."

Two days after the library hold up, Glastonbury Police caught a group of teens who allegedly stole a car and then a purse at a Webster Bank on Hebron Avenue.

Two good samaritans actually helped hold the suspects on scene.

"It doesn't matter where you live, you should still be careful," said Heather Berube of Glastonbury.

"Just makes you realize you always have to be careful; always have to be watching," said Nancy Cavanaugh of Glastonbury.

Rice is being held on $800,000 bond. He's due back in court in September.

Rice's bond was set at almost a million dollars because the 33-year-old has eight prior convictions including one for conviction of robbery back in 1993.

The Glastonbury resident is likely to face another judge before the end of the month on a warrant for improper use of license plates out of Hartford.