New Haven Man Beats Security Guard, Damages Police Cell

It wasn't a happy Valentines Day for one New Haven man who ended up in handcuffs after he allegedly attempted to steal merchandise from Bob's Stores in the Hamden Mart Thursday afternoon and then allegedly damaged a cell block at the new Hamden Police Headquarters while in custody.

Cornell Brown, 21, of 24 Edgar St., New Haven, was charged with third-degree robbery, third-degree assault and second-degree larceny after he allegedly fought off a security guard trying to stop him from leaving the store with about $200 worth of unpaid items, according to police spokesman Capt. Ronald Smith.

Police got a report of a fight in progress at Bob's at 2300 Dixwell Ave. at about 3:30 p.m., Smith said, which turned out to be a physical attercation between Brown and the store loss prevention officer. Brown struck him several times and he suffered a hand injury, Smith said, before Brown took off running.

A shot time later Deputy Chief Bo Kicak captured him in the rear of the building, Smith said.

Brown was arrested and taken to Hamden Police Headquarters, and while detained there, he allegedly damaged a sprinkler head in the cell block area, Smith said.

"His actions caused major flooding and electronic damage," Smith said.

First-degree criminal mischief was added to his list of charges, Smith said. He was held in lieu of $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on Feb. 25.