A suspected drug addict is to blame for the second robbery in two weeks at a Franklin Street store, police say. Omar Branch, 33, was captured Wednesday just minutes after police said he robbed the Norwich Mini-Mart at knifepoint before the store’s 1 a.m. closing time. Police said they found a crack pipe in his possession. On June 10, Ricardo Acosta was arrested and charged with robbing an elderly customer who was leaving the same store. Acosta later admitted he needed money to feed his crack cocaine habit, police said. Aside from the drugs, Norwich Police Capt. Timothy Menard said a disturbing link to the crimes is that both men appear to be newcomers to Norwich. In rehab center Originally from Springfield, Mass., Branch indicated to police he was recently in an area treatment facility. “It’s a huge problem,” Menard said. “We’re seeing crimes committed by people who either completed treatment or were forced out of treatment because they failed to adhere to the rules and now are forced into criminal activity to support themselves and their habits.” Menard said he has seen a steady trend of criminals whose origins are outside the city — people who came to the area to stay at a so-called “halfway” or “three-quarters house.” Neighbors appear to be fed up. 3-block pursuit Yolanda Torres was on her way to the Norwich Mini-Mart for some soda Wednesday when she spotted well-liked store owner Kishorkumar “K.C.” Patel struggling with the ro ...
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A suspected drug addict is to blame for the second robbery in two weeks at a Franklin Street store, police say. Omar Branch, 33, was captured Wednesday just minutes after police said he robbed the Norwich Mini-Mart at knifepoint before the store’s 1 a.m. closing time. Police said they found a crack pipe in his possession. On June 10, Ricardo Acosta was arrested and charged with robbing an elderly customer who was leaving the same store. Acosta later admitted he needed money to feed his crack cocaine habit, police said. Aside from the drugs, Norwich Police Capt. Timothy Menard said a disturbing link to the crimes is that both men appear to be newcomers to Norwich. In rehab center Originally from Springfield, Mass., Branch indicated to police he was recently in an area treatment facility. “It’s a huge problem,” Menard said. “We’re seeing crimes committed by people who either completed treatment or were forced out of treatment because they failed to adhere to the rules and now are forced into criminal activity to support themselves and their habits.” Menard said he has seen a steady trend of criminals whose origins are outside the city — people who came to the area to stay at a so-called “halfway” or “three-quarters house.” Neighbors appear to be fed up. 3-block pursuit Yolanda Torres was on her way to the Norwich Mini-Mart for some soda Wednesday when she spotted well-liked store owner Kishorkumar “K.C.” Patel struggling with the ro ...