CT man admits to 30+ violent robberies and attempted robberies across state. He had an accomplice.
A Connecticut man admitted to committing several violent robberies and attempted robberies across the state in 2022, federal officials said.
Lonny Cross, 45, of Bristol, pleaded guilty this week before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery and one count of Hobbs Act Robbery, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Between Sept. 5 and Oct. 13, 2022, Cross reportedly committed 37 robberies and attempted robberies of gas station convenience stores, mini-markets and liquor stores in North Branford, Waterbury, Wolcott, Plymouth, New Haven, North Haven, Orange, West Haven, Wethersfield, Bristol, Southington, Naugatuck, Watertown, Franklin, Norwich, Waterford, Groton City, Stonington, Ledyard, Darien, Norwalk, Stratford and Seymour, as well as in Port Chester, New York, court records show.
According to federal officials, several of the robberies took place on the same day just minutes apart.
“Cross typically traveled to the store with an accomplice who would sometimes enter the store to determine the number of employees and customers in the store, exit the store, and then report that information to Cross,” federal officials said. “Cross then entered the store, displayed a knife or facsimile firearm while threatening employees, and stole cash and other items.”
Investigators conducted court-authorized searches of Cross’ home and a black 2014 Chevrolet Impala he was known to drive on Oct. 14, 2022. The accomplice was not named.
Cross, who was on state parole at the time, was arrested on state charges that day after investigators reportedly located “clothing consistent with clothing worn by Cross in several of the robberies, as well as quantities of heroin, crack cocaine and narcotics paraphernalia,” according to federal officials.
During the search of Chevrolet, investigators also reportedly seized 120 bags of heroin, 14 grams of crack and a knit hat matching the description of the suspect in a robbery the day before.
Cross has been detained since his arrest, according to federal officials. His sentencing is set for Aug. 21, at which time he faces a maximum term of 40 years in prison, federal officials said.