CRIME SOLVERS TIPLINE:  860-527-TIPS

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:  Friday, January 25, 2008

ENFIELD MAN CHARGED BY HARTFORD POLICE
IN SPATE OF ATTEMPTED STREET ROBBERIES

(Hartford) - Hartford Police have arrested an Enfield man in connection with a spate of attempted street robberies in Hartford on January 23, 2008 in the vicinities of Pearl and Church Streets. 

At approximately 1:00 a.m. on  January 25, 2008, at 711 Albany Avenue, Hartford, police stopped Jason Baska, 25, of 799 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut, in a vehicle that matched the description of a vehicle suspected in three attempted street robberies on January 23rd.   At that time Baska was charged with Failure to Display a Front Number Plate and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and transported to the Hartford Police Department's Major Crimes Division for debriefing. 

During debriefing by Hartford Police Department Major Crimes detectives, Baska confessed to three attempted street robberies on January 23, 2008, all around 4:30 p.m., at 191 Pearl Street, 233 Pearl Street, and 380 Church Street, Hartford.  The Hartford Police Department's Major Crimes Division is continuing its investigation and anticipate additional charges in connection with the robberies.

On January 23, 2008, in the Pearl Street incidents, Baska attempted to snatch purses from two different females, and after resistance, fled in a red Ford Ranger pick-up truck.  Shortly afterward, on Church Street,  Baska approached a male victim and demanded his money.  After the victim declined Baska threatened him, grabbing his arm.  The victim then pushed Baska away and told him he would notify police.  Baska then ran into a parked vehicle with the same description as in the Pearl Street incidents as a 1980's red in color Ford Ranger pick up truck, and fled the scene.

In commenting on Baska's arrest and the investigation of the robberies, Hartford Police Chief Daryl K. Roberts said, "Because of the alert response by Hartford Police Sergeant Frank Rodriguez in recognizing the suspect vehicle and detaining Baska, and the follow-up investigation by HPD Major Crimes Detectives Brian Salkeld and William Siemionko, a robber is off our street and we are safer.  This is an excellent example of the kind of positive outcome that can result when police and community work together.  The detailed vehicle and suspect information provided police by the victims played an instrumental part in the investigation and the ultimate apprehension of Baska."
 

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Contact:   Nancy Mulroy, Public Information Officer, Hartford Police Department,  (860) 757-4021
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