Hamden Man Arrested for Robbery at Plaza

Police arrested a man Tuesday shortly after he allegedly robbed the restaurant, showing a fake gun.

Justin Hemphill, 19, of 95 Kaye Vue, Apartment 1J, was arrested after a search of the area.

When police arrived at the restaurant, employees said that a black male wearing jeans and a sweatshirt came into the restaurant with what looked like a handgun and demanded money, police spokesman Capt. Ronald Smith said. 

He then took off with the cash, Smith said. How much money was taken was not released.

Officers Mark Atwater and Nicholas D’Angelo searched the area and found Hemphill hiding in a wooded area near the restaurant, Smith said.

Off. John Battick and his K-9 partner Cesare also took part in the search and found several pieces of evidence, including the firearm, which was a facsimile, Smith said.

Hemphill, was charged with first-degree robbery, using a facsimile firearm and sixth-degree larceny.

Hemphill was held in lieu of $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court May 20.