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Jeffrey Stokarski of Waterbury pleaded guilty in New Haven to one count of Hobbs Act Robbery and one count of using a firearm in relation to a crime of violence for a spree that lasted from Dec. 27 through Jan. 9 in Connecticut.
During his spree, Stokarski admitted to entering the Henny Penny on the Meriden Waterbury Turnpike in Southington on Dec. 27 last year. He pushed the store clerk into the counter and verbally instructed her not to touch or say anything. Stokarski opened the cash register with a screwdriver and stole approximately $289 in cash.
Later that day, he approached a vehicle parked at the Country Cloverleaf Shell on Route 81 in Killingwort. He then opened the driver’s side door, and punched the driver repeatedly before demanding his wallet.
During the robbery, Stokarski took from the driver an electronic cigarette worth approximately $110, a cell phone worth approximately $50, and the driver’s wallet containing approximately $90 in cash and gift cards.
Stokarski also entered the Krauszer’s Food Store on Madison Road in Durham on Dec. 27, where he placed the store clerk in a headlock, pulled out a knife and placed it on the clerk’s back, dragged the clerk over to the register and then stole approximately $3,264 in cash and store items.
Four days later, on New Year’s Eve, Stokarski was back at the Henny Penny and again demanded cash from the register. The clerk gave him approximately $161 in cash from the register before he took off.
The following day, Stokarski hit the Citgo gas station on West Street in Litchfield, where he pulled out a knife and placed it across the clerk’s neck, demanding money. The clerk complied and provided Stokarski with approximately $2,084 in cash. Stokarski also stole several store items worth approximately $49.
Later on Jan. 1, Stokarski went to Dunkin Donuts on Main Street in New Hartford, where he pulled out a knife, jumped over the counter and while grabbing the clerk, yelled for the clerk to open the registers. The clerk complied and gave Stokarski all of the cash from within the registers.
On Jan. 3, Stokarski stole $1,400 in cash and a handgun from the clerk at the Rayon Market on Edgewood Avenue in New Haven. He then went to Cumberland Farms gas station in Naugatuck, using the stolen handgun to demand cash. Stokarski then stole approximately $132 in cash and approximately $536 worth of cigarettes and fled in a vehicle driven by Stacy Borowy.
Three days after hitting the gas station, Stokarski went to the Food Land grocery store in Wallingford, where he pulled out a knife, dragged a clerk to the register and stole $2,254, injuring the clerk in the process. That same day, Stokarski and a second man went to the Mbil station on Watertown Avenue in Waterbury, using a knife to steal approximately $727 in cash and several cartons of cigarettes.
Stokarski didn’t stop there, and on the following day, he went to the Valero Fas Mart in Durham, grabbed a female clerk’s arm and stole approximately $130 in cash. Finally, on Jan. 9 Stokarski robbed the Food Bag in Southington, stealing approximately $100 from the register and $500 in cigarettes.
The investigation into the armed robbery spree led police to Stokarski, who was arrested on Jan. 9. He’s been detained since.
Following his guilty plea, Stokarski is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 24 next year, when he will face 20 years in prison for the robberies and a mandatory consecutive term of five years in prison for the firearm offense.
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