Elbert Llorens, 24, of New Haven, admitted in federal court today to a violent string of armed carjackings and robberies that terrorized Connecticut residents over a five-day stretch in January 2016. Facing a maximum of 25 years behind bars, Llorens pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford to one count of taking a motor vehicle by force and intimidation.
The rampage began on January 1, 2016, when two out-of-state men, driving a rented 2015 Volkswagen Passat, stopped in Meriden near Hobart and Myrtle Streets to ask for directions. Kyle Valentine, 25, also of New Haven, directed the victims to follow his car. Moments later, the trap was sprung. Llorens approached the passenger side with a handgun, opened the door, and demanded, “I want everything.” Terrified, the victims fled as Llorens and Valentine stole their wallets, phones, and the vehicle.
But the violence didn’t end there. Llorens admitted in court to escalating the spree with two armed gas station robberies—first in East Haven, then in New Haven on January 3. The following day, January 4, he attempted to rob a convenience store in Milford. Then, on January 5, he struck again in New Haven, using a firearm and threats to steal a 2006 Chevy Cobalt and a wallet from another victim at gunpoint.
New Haven Police arrested Llorens shortly after the final carjacking. Since then, he has remained in custody, now facing federal sentencing on March 15, 2017, before U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant. The charge carries a mandatory minimum and a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
Valentine, 25, of New Haven, pleaded guilty to the same federal carjacking charge on August 11, 2016. He remains detained as he awaits sentencing, with prosecutors linking him directly to the January 1 hijacking of the Passat. Both men are now accountable for a crime wave that exposed vulnerabilities in regional public safety.
The investigation was a joint effort by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local police departments in East Haven, Meriden, Milford, and New Haven. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito is prosecuting the case, underscoring federal-local cooperation in bringing violent offenders to justice. With sentencing looming, authorities hope the case sends a message: violent crime in Connecticut won’t go unanswered.
Related Federal Cases
- Derrick Gilliam Gets 10+ Years for CT Armed Robbery Spree · Connecticut
- Lloren’s 5-Year Sentence for Violent Carjacking Spree · Connecticut
- Melvin Turner Gets 7 Years for NW D.C. Burglary Spree · Washington
- West Haven Man Accused of New Year’s Day Carjacking · Oregon
- D.C. Thief Gets 11+ Years for Violent Crime Spree · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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