Liquor Store Manager Arrested After Aug. Robbery

The manager of a Dixwell Avenue liquor store robbed in August is now facing charges himself, accused of making false statements to police.

On Aug. 1, police responded to the report of a robbery at the Wine Merchant Package Store, 2300 Dixwell Ave. Hamden resident Robert Gordneer was arrested in connection with that incident.

But during the investigation, detectives determined that false statements were made to police pertaining to the amount of money that was stolen during the robbery, according to police spokesman Capt. Ronald Smith.

________________________________________________________________________

Interested in Hamden's news, events, community bulletins, blogs and businesses? Sign up for the free Hamden Patch daily newsletter, "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

________________________________________________________________________

"The false statements indicated that an additional several thousand dollars was taken," Smith said. "As a result of this information, Detective Sean Dolan submitted an arrest warrant application to the court for the manager of Wine Merchants, Mr. Neville George Saldanha."

On Friday, Hamden Police arrested Saldanha, 36, of 1107 Hartford Turnpike, North Haven, charging him with second-degree making a false statement and interfering with a police officer.

Saldanha was held in lieu of $2,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on Nov. 1.