3 arrested in armed robbery, police chase

West Hartford police arrested three people Tuesday after an armed robbery at Home Depot and a chase into Hartford.

About 9 a.m., police were sent to the store on New Park Avenue on a reported shoplifting. Loss prevention workers tried to stop two men who reportedly had stolen merchandise, but they continued walking to a vehicle in the lot. After the workers struggled to recover a cart with stolen goods, one of the thieves pointed a gun at the security personnel, police said.

The pair then loaded the loot into a black Land Rover, with help from a woman who had been sitting in the vehicle, and exited onto New Park Avenue. Officers quickly located the Land Rover, but the driver would not stop and fled into Hartford on I-84. During the chase, one of the three tossed out the firearm near Exit 46.

Police said they later recovered what turned out to be a facsimile gun.

With help from Capitol Regional Auto Theft Task Force officers, police found the Land Rover in the area of Capen and Vine streets and three suspects were taken into custody without incident, police said.

Juan Surillo, 38, of Hartford, faces charges of first-degree robbery, fourth-degree larceny, carrying a dangerous weapon, engaging police in pursuit and reckless driving, among other charges. Surillo was held on a $150,000 bond.

Also arrested were Jorge Maldonado-ramos, 34, whose last known address was in Hartford, and Elizabeth Kobus, 33, of Hartford, both charged with fourth-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit fourth-degree larceny. Both were released without having to post bail, police said.