Convicted Stamford Robber Gets 14-year Jail Sentence

STAMFORD, CT - A career criminal caught by Stamford Police following the armed holdup of a convenience store last summer, will be spending the next 14 years in jail.

The 42-year-old man from New York City, was sentenced Wednesday to 168 months of imprisonment, for committing five armed robberies during one week last summer, according to Connecticut U.S. Attorney Deirdre Daly. Four of the robberies occurred in Bridgeport, with the fifth and final robbery in Stamford at the West Main Street Grocery at 495 W. Main St. on July 1.

Francis Manigault also must serve five years of supervised release following his release from prison.

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Moments after the West Main robbery, Stamford Police, responding to 911 calls, found Manigault on nearby Virgil Street and saw him throwing a handgun to the ground. He was apprehended after a foot chase. Police recovered a loaded 40mm handgun that Manigault had discarded — a gun that was reported stolen in North Carolina.

Manigault in custody since his arrest on charges of first-degree robbery, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Criminal Use of a Firearm, and Possession of a Stolen Firearm. On Oct. 19, 2015, he pleaded guilty to two counts of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

Stamford Police have described Manigault as a career criminal with a record of larceny, narcotics and resisting arrest charges dating back to 1989.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Stamford Police Department and the Bridgeport Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy C. Brown.

Stamford Police photo: Francis Manigault.