Bristol Man Pleads Guilty to 37 Violent Robberies

Bridgeport, CT – LONNY CROSS, 45, of Bristol, Connecticut, admitted to a string of violent robberies that left a trail of fear and destruction across the state and into New York.

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 several Connecticut towns and Port Chester, New York. The robberies were often carried out in a coordinated fashion, with an accomplice scouting out the store before CROSS entered and threatened employees with a knife or fake firearm.

CROSS was arrested on October 14, 2022, after investigators conducted court-authorized searches of his residence and a black 2014 Chevrolet Impala he was known to drive. The search revealed clothing matching the description of what he wore during several robberies, as well as heroin, crack cocaine, and narcotics paraphernalia. A search of the car turned up 120 bags of heroin, 14 grams of crack, and a knit hat matching one worn by CROSS during a robbery the day before.

CROSS pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery and one count of Hobbs Act Robbery. He faces a maximum sentence of 40 years when he is sentenced on August 21.

The investigation was a collaborative effort between 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.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff will be prosecuting the case. The guilty plea marks a significant victory for law enforcement in bringing a violent offender to justice and ensuring the safety of the communities affected by these crimes.