Man gets 41⁄2 years for gas station robbery

TORRINGTON — A Thomaston man was sentenced to 41⁄2 years in prison Tuesday in connection with the robbery of a Harwinton gas station on New Year’s Day.

Luke Sanford, 27, then of 43 Edgewood Ave., Thomaston, was arrested Jan. 1 and charged with carrying and sale of dangerous weapons, second-degree robbery, and breach of peace: threatening, according to State Police.

Sanford pleaded guilty to the charge of second-degree robbery Tuesday as part of a plea deal with the state. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, suspended after 41⁄2years, with three years’ probation.

State Attorney David Shannon said Sanford brandished a small knife at the attendant at the gas station and demanded money. The clerk gave him some money from his pocket and he left the store.

Sanford was quickly apprehended within 20 miles of the gas station on Birge Road, Shannon said. He was caught on surveillance footage pacing outside of the gas station and committing the act, Shannon said.

The crime was drugrelated, Shannon and defense attorney James Longwell said Tuesday. Sanford had been in rehab, then relapsed before this incident, Longwell said.

Longwell said Sanford is now sober and looking forward to living a lifestyle that keeps him out of further trouble.

“I think he’s got his head in a good place right now,” said Longwell.

Shannon said he believes the sentence is appropriate given the circumstances surrounding the crime. Workers did not deserve to have knives brandished at them, Shannon said.

“It’s really up to him how he wants his life to go,” said Shannon. “For the sake of society, I hope he does not re-offend.”

Judge John A. Danaher III noted the incident could have ended differently if the clerk or a customer had decided to resist, or there had been a police officer outside.

“Even though this is a significant sentence, it could have been far worse,” said Danaher.

He said he hoped Sanford made a commitment not to be back in court for the sake of his wife and son.

Sanford still has pending matters in Superior Court in Bantam, Longwell said.