Hartford man with extensive criminal history arrested for armed robbery in Waterbury

WATERBURY, Conn. (WFSB) – A Hartford man was arrested for an October robbery in Waterbury.

Police said they responded to the Snipes Clothing Store on Lakewood Road on Oct. 15 for a report of an armed robbery.

Officers learned that a man, later identified as 52-year-old Jose Rivera-Gonzalez of Hartford, had threatened store employees with a handgun. He also physically attacked an employee before fleeing with cash.

“With assistance from the Hartford Police Department, Waterbury investigators executed a search warrant at Rivera’s residence on October 23, 2024 and uncovered evidence linking Rivera to the October 15 robbery at Snipes’ home and seized ammunition from the residence said Waterbury police.

Police say Rivera-Gonzalez has a lengthy criminal history, including previous charges of robbery (both with and without firearms), kidnapping, firearms violations, unlawful restraint and theft.

His last known arrest by Waterbury police came in 2013 when he robbed a TD Bank.

He was charged with robbery, assault, theft and criminal possession of weapons/ammunition.

Rivera is currently being held by the Connecticut Department of Corrections on a 75,000 bond.

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