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New Haven resident Vinson Singleton, Jr., 25, pleaded guilty in New Haven federal court to one count of Hobbs Act robbery. He will face up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on Jan. 28 next year.
According to U.S. Attorney John Durham, at sentencing, the government will argue that Singleton also robbed or attempted to rob a Dunkin Donuts in New Haven on March 8, 2016; a Valero in North Haven on March 9, 2016; a Papa John’s in New Haven on March 17, 2016; a Shell gas station in New Haven on March 17, 2016, and a 7-Eleven in New Haven on March 21, 2016.
The plea comes following an investigation into a series of armed robberies in Ansonia, North Haven and New Haven in 2016, Durham said.
The investigation determined that on March 22, 2016, a man later identified as Singleton entered the Shell gas station at 696 Main Street in Ansonia, attempted to rob the store and stabbed a store employee in his back.
After the victim was stabbed, he saw a metal blade on the ground and the assailant holding a black handle in his hand. The assailant then ran from the store. The victim suffered a small puncture wound in his lower back.
Using the knife handle and a hat and sweatshirt that were left behind, investigators collected DNA to match them with Singleton, who is currently serving a state sentence for possessing a sawed-off shotgun and attempted robbery.
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