Vinson Singleton, Jr., Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery, Connecticut 2016

A brazen armed robbery at a Shell gas station in Ansonia, Connecticut left a store employee with a small puncture wound in his lower back. The crime, which occurred on March 22, 2016, was just one of several armed and attempted armed robberies of commercial establishments in Ansonia, North Haven, and New Haven.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Vinson Singleton, Jr., 25, of New Haven, pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to a federal robbery offense.

Singleton pleaded guilty to one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The investigation into the series of robberies revealed that Singleton attempted to rob the Shell gas station at 696 Main Street in Ansonia, stabbing the store employee in his back. The victim suffered a small puncture wound in his lower back.

Investigators collected the knife handle and a hat and sweatshirt that Singleton discarded as he ran from the store. DNA collected from these items matched DNA that was collected from Singleton after investigators had identified him as a suspect.

Singleton is currently serving a state sentence for possessing a sawed-off shotgun and an attempted robbery.

He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on January 28, 2020.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/new-haven-man-pleads-guilty-federal-robbery-charge