MERIDEN — A man was arrested late Tuesday night after assaulting clerks and robbing a convenience store at 64 East Main Street, according to the Meriden Police Department.
Police responded to a call at approximately 11 p.m. at the American Corner store, where an assault and robbery were reported.
Officers learned en route that a heavyset male, later identified as 31-year-old Adrian Ayala-Garo of Middletown, had been loitering inside the store without purchasing anything.
When asked to leave, Garo, who was wearing a mask, glasses, hoodie, and rubber gloves, walked behind the counter and punched a clerk in the face, resulting in a possible broken nose, chipped tooth, and concussion.
He also assaulted another clerk before attempting to open the cash register with his own keys.
Failing to open the register, Garo took the entire drawer, which contained several thousand dollars.
Using security camera footage and employee descriptions, police quickly identified Garo.
Sergeant William Rogers found him shirtless and hiding partially behind a wall on Crown Street.
Garo, who matched the recorded description, including a distinctive face tattoo, was taken into custody.
Police seized cash and clothing linked to the crime.
An Uber arrived shortly after Garo’s arrest, presumably to pick him up.
He now faces charges of Criminal Trespass in the 1st degree, Robbery in the 3rd degree, and Assault in the 2nd degree.
Garo is being held on a $250,000 surety bond.
