Dispute In Trumbull Mall Parking Lot Leads To Robbery, Gun, Drug Charges: PD

TRUMBULL, CT — A dispute between four people in the parking lot of the Trumbull Mall led to two arrests Monday night after one person was threatened with a handgun and another was struck by a car, according to police.

In a news release, Police Lt. Brian Falkenstein said the department received a report around 8:30 p.m. from a man who said he had been robbed at gun point.

When officers arrived at the mall, they found four people in the parking lot who were involved in the altercation and reported the armed robbery, according to Falkenstein.

Officers learned a group of acquaintances had an argument that began in a vehicle and culminated with one of the acquaintances threatening another acquaintance with a handgun in the parking lot, according to Falkenstein.

As the argument continued, one of the acquaintances struck another acquaintance with his vehicle, Falkenstein said.

As officers investigating the incident questioned the group, they found a black semi-automatic Springfield Armory 9mm handgun with a 15- round magazine that had been tossed in a nearby snowbank, Falkenstein said.

Officers also found two large bags of a green leafy substance suspected to be marijuana, a small bag of a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine and drug paraphernalia associated with the sale of marijuana, according to Falkenstein.

Roger Johnson, 23, of Naugatuck, was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, operation of a drug factory, possession of a controlled substance, possession with the intent to sell and reckless driving. He was held on a $150,000 bond.

Elquan Stone, 23, of Stratford, who Falkenstein noted is a convicted felon, was charged with first-degree robbery, fifth-degree larceny, first-degree reckless endangerment, criminal possession of a pistol, first-degree threatening, illegal possession of a weapon in motor vehicle, carrying a pistol without a permit and illegal sale/purchase of a large capacity magazine. He was held on a $200,000 bond.

Both men are scheduled to appear in court later this month, Falkenstein said.

Falkenstein also noted detectives are still trying to determine the owner and origins of the firearm.