Thief Pushes Home Depot Staff, Brandishes Box Cutter, Waterbury Police Say

WATERBURY, CT — A robber stole two Ryobi drills from the local Home Depot store, then pushed and menaced staff with a box cutter when confronted about the theft, according to police.

Police said they charged Isuel Cordero, 24, of Waterbury, with first-degree robbery and fifth-degree larceny.

Sgt. Joseph Morais said police were summoned to the store Wednesday morning at 9:19 a.m. for a report of a robbery.

The store’s loss prevention staff told police a man entered the store and then concealed the drills in his backpack.

Police said Cordero exited the store, and Home Depot staff approached him. At that point, “Cordero pushed staff and brandished a box cutter,” police said. Cordero then fled the scene on foot.

Home Depot employees were not injured during the incident, police said.

Police apprehended Cordero on Benedict Street, but the drills were not recovered, according to Morais. The drills were valued at about $660.