Robbery suspect to cops: "you got me"

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- A robbery suspect wanted for a string of hold ups is behind bars Monday night thanks to a sharp eyed New Haven police officer.

For veteran New Haven police officer Jose Escobar the day began as always with a visit to Victor's Market on Grand Avenue.

"I was getting a turkey, bacon with egg whites which I normally do get on an every day basis," said Officer Escobar.

But today when officer Escobar walked in he spotted a man getting coffee who he recognized from surveillance videos and police bulletins.

The man was 42-year-old Christopher Vitti wanted for several recent hold-ups in Bridgeport, Hamden and New Haven.

Escobar even said hello to him before heading to the counter to pick up his order.

"I didn't lead him to believe that I was on him, that's why I didn't make it obvious that you know, I knew who he was so when I was at the counter I was just conversing, acting naturally, like I was just playing it cool," said Officer Escobar.

And he stayed cool, keeping an eye on Vitti as he casually walked out of the market and then called for back-up.

Within minutes, the robbery suspect was in custody.

This situation ended peacefully, but that was not necessarily a sure bet. There were six or eight customers inside the store when all that drama un-folded.

Regulars like Benjamin Little know how important it is to have sharp eyed cops like Jose Escobar on the beat.

"I come here daily...daily I'm here and that makes me feel a lot more comfortable. I know there's a lot of stuff going around in this neighborhood and you need it. That's what we need," said Benjamin Little of New Haven.

And there to see it all was Gary Coates, a New Haven police recruit, shadowing Officer Escobar.

"What has this taught you," asked News 8's Kountz.

"Pretty much anything can happen in a matter of seconds during your daily routine," said Coates.

On this day a daily routine led to the un-likely arrest of a robbery suspect.

"I asked him do you know why we're detaining you and he said 'you got me,' just like that," said Officer Escobar.