Crime & Safety
Suspect in ATM Robbery Arrested After Diving Into Trout Brook
Woman is allegedly threatened with a screwdriver Wednesday at a West Hartford Center drive-up; police use Taser to take S. Quaker Lane man into custody.
A 31-year-old local man allegedly displayed a screwdriver and robbed a woman Wednesday night at an ATM in West Hartford Center. He attempted to elude officers by diving into Trout Brook and trying to swim away, police said.
Two officers also jumped into the waist-deep water about 9:15 p.m. to pursue the suspect, Patrick C. Gagnon, of 165 S. Quaker Lane, Det. Dane Semper said.
When Gagnon emerged from the water in an area behind Loomis Drive, he tried to flee again and was subdued with a Taser.
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Gagnon, a convicted felon, was charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree larceny and interfering with an officer.
Police said Gagnon surprised a 23-year-old New Britain woman who was making a withdrawal in a drive-up ATM behind at 4 N. Main St. He allegedly threatened the woman with a screwdriver and stole an undisclosed sum of cash, police said.
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At least nine West Hartford officers responded before Gagnon was spotted on Loomis Drive, police said. Gagnon then led police on a chase and into the water.
In 2003, Manchester policed charged Gagnon with third-degree larceny and he was sentenced to four years in jail after pleading not guilty in Manchester Superior Court. According to records, he was also found guilty of attempted third-degree burglary in 2003.
Gagnon was being held on $150,000 bail and was expected to be arraigned today in Hartford Superior Court.
Gagnon also has a pending felony drug case stemming from an arrest by in April, according to records.
