Two Hartford Residents Charged In Plainville Bank Robbery

By Justin Muszynski, The Bristol Press

August 13, 2022

Police this week charged two people in connection with a bank robbery in March in which the suspect threatened to shoot everyone in the building.

Hartford residents Christina Williams, 47, and Alston Phillips, 27, each face charges in a robbery reported on March 15, around 10:21 a.m. at the American Eagle Federal Credit Union, located at 378 New Britain Ave.

Police on Friday said the lengthy investigation involved local, state and federal authorities.

According to the arrest warrant in the case, Williams entered the bank with a note demanding $10,000. When the teller told her that kind of money wasn’t immediately accessible, the warrant said, Williams allegedly said she had a gun and would shoot everyone.

Williams, police wrote in the warrant, left the bank without any money. She was later identified by authorities, who were able to interview her during the investigation.

According to the warrant, Williams told police she was picked up by Phillips – who she said she knew as “New York” – before he asked her if she wanted to rob a bank. According to Williams, the warrant said, Phillips gave her a note that demanded money before she robbed a bank in East Windsor, making off with about $1,000.

Williams, the warrant said, then used the same note in the Plainville bank without getting any money.

Williams faces one count each of attempted first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery and attempted first-degree larceny. She is free on $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court next week.

Phillips faces one count each of attempted second-degree robbery, attempted first-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny. He is being held on $150,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court on Aug. 23.

Justin Muszynski can be reached at 860-973-1809 or jmuszynski@bristolpress.com.