Man pleads guilty to robbery

In one local incident, a knife was placed against store clerk’s neck

A Waterbury man faces up to 25 years in jail after pleading guilty to an armed robbery spree across western Connecticut.

Jeffrey Stokarski, of Waterbury, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to federal robbery and firearm charges stemming from a violent armed robbery spree in late 2017 and early 2018, according to a release from the office of John H. Durham, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut.

Stokarski pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act Robbery, an offense that carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and one count of using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive term of five years in prison, the release said.

If he were to serve the full term, Stokarski would be 69 when he is released.

According to court documents and statements made in court Stokarski was linked to a dozen robberies, sometimes committing as many as three in a single day, the release said.

The robberies, according to authorities:

Dec. 27, 2017

Stokarski entered the Henny Penny at 273 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike, Southington, pushed the sales clerk into the counter and instructed her not to touch or say anything. Stokarski opened the cash register with a screwdriver and stole approximately $289 in cash.

Stokarski approached a vehicle in the parking lot of the Country Cloverleaf Shell at 237 Route 81, Killingworth, opened the driver’s door and punched the driver repeatedly in the face while demanding the driver’s wallet. During the robbery, Stokarski took from the driver an electronic cigarette worth approximately $110, a cell phone worth about $50, and the driver’s wallet containing about $90 in cash and gift cards.

Authorities said Stokarski entered the Krauszer’s Food Store at

459 Madison Road, Durham, placed the store clerk in a headlock, pulled out a knife and placed it on the clerk’s back, dragged the clerk over to the register and then stole approximately $3,264 in cash and store items.

Dec. 31, 2017

Stokarski again entered the Henny Penny at 273 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike, Southington, and demanded cash from the register, according to authorities. The clerk complied and gave Stokarski approximately $161 in cash from the register.

Jan. 1, 2018

Stokarski entered the Citgo Gas Station at 199 West Street, Litchfield, grabbed the clerk, pulled out a knife and placed the knife across the clerk’s neck area while demanding the clerk give up all the money. The clerk complied and provided Stokarski with about $2,084 in cash. Stokarski also stole several store items worth approximately $49.

Stokarski entered the Dunkin’ Donuts located at 220 Main St., New Hartford, pulled out a knife, jumped over the counter and while grabbing the clerk, yelled for the clerk to open the registers. The clerk complied and gave Stokarski all of the cash from within the registers.

Jan. 3, 2018

Stokarski entered the Rayon Market at 214 Edgewood Ave., New Haven, and stole $1,400 in cash and a handgun from the clerk at knifepoint, authorities said.

Stokarski entered the Cumberland Farms gas station located at 69 Rubber Ave., Naugatuck, walked behind the counter and demanded money. He then pulled the stolen handgun from his waist area to show the clerk that he had a gun. The clerk complied with Stokarski’s demand and opened the registers. Stokarski then stole approximately $132 in cash and about $536 worth of cigarettes and fled in a vehicle driven by Stacy Borowy.

Jan. 6, 2018

Stokarski entered the Food Land grocery store at 250 South Colony Road, Wallingford, pulled out a knife, dragged the clerk to the register and stole about $2,254 in cash, injuring the clerk in the process, the release said.

Stokarski and another man entered the Mobil gas station located at 385 Watertown Ave., Waterbury and approached the register. Stokarski went behind the register, pulled a knife and told the cashier to get back while Stokarski pried open the register, ultimately stealing approximately $727 in cash and several cartons of cigarettes.

Jan. 7, 2018

Stokarski entered the Valero Fas Mart gas station at 384 Main St., Durham, grabbed the clerk’s arm, and demanded that she open the register, the release said. He then pulled out a knife in an attempt to pry open the register himself. The clerk ultimately complied with Stokarski’s demand to open the register and Stokarski removed about $130 in cash.

Jan. 9, 2018

Stokarski entered Food Bag at 960 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike, Southington, approached the register, pulled out a knife and began to pry open the register, authorities said. He then removed about $100 from the register and about $500 in cigarettes. He had been detained since his arrest on Jan. 9. Meyer scheduled sentencing for Jan. 24.

Borowy pleaded guilty on Sept. 20 to aiding and abetting an armed robbery. She awaits sentencing.