Bristol Man Admits Committing Numerous Violent Robberies Across Connecticut in 2022

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LONNY CROSS, 45, of Bristol, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to charges related to his commission of numerous violent robberies across Connecticut in September and October 2022.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between September 5 and October 13, 2022, Cross committed 37 robberies and attempted robberies of gas station convenience stores, mini-markets, and liquor stores in North Branford, Waterbury, Wolcott, Plymouth, New Haven, North Haven, Orange, West Haven, Wethersfield, Bristol, Southington, Naugatuck, Watertown, Franklin, Norwich, Waterford, Groton City, Stonington, Ledyard, Darien, Norwalk, Stratford, and Seymour, Connecticut, and Port Chester, New York. (See attached list) Several of the robberies occurred on the same day, only minutes apart.  Cross typically traveled to the victim-store with an accomplice who would sometimes enter the store to determine the number of employees and customers in the store, exit the store, and then report that information to Cross.  Cross then entered the store, displayed a knife or facsimile firearm while threatening employees, and stole cash and other items.

On October 14, 2022, investigators conducted court-authorized searches of Cross’s residence and a black 2014 Chevrolet Impala that Cross was known to drive.  The search of the residence revealed clothing consistent with clothing worn by Cross in several of the robberies, as well as quantities of heroin, crack cocaine, and narcotics paraphernalia.  A search of the car revealed 120 bags heroin, approximately 14 grams of crack, and a knit hat matching the description of one worn by Cross during a robbery the day before.  Cross, who was on state parole, was arrested on state charges on that date.  He has been detained since his arrest.

Cross pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery, and one count of Hobbs Act Robbery.  Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for August 21, at which time Cross faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

This investigation has been conducted by the FBI, Connecticut State Police, Orange Police Department, Port Chester (N.Y.) Police Department, and numerous other police departments from the municipalities where the robberies occurred, with the assistance of Connecticut State Parole.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff.