Three local men have been arrested in association with a large string of armed robberies in Danbury that occurred over the past four months.

According to a press release from the Danbury Police Department, Detectives say that through a diligent investigation and cooperation from witnesses and victims alike, they were able to identify 29-year-old Osvaldo Lopez of Danbury, 26-year-old Carlos Mejias-Montero of Naugatuck, and 26-year-old Giovani Canales of Danbury as the suspects of the crimes that happened at several bodegas and liquor stores since the early part of September 2017. Police believe that the robberies are all related and that all three of the men accused were involved.

Police say that Osvaldo Lopez, who was also recently accused of snatching keys from a 10-year-old in Newtown in order to steal a different vehicle, allegedly walked into the Reina grocery store at 41 South St. with what was described as a long shotgun and demanded cash. Once he had the undisclosed amount of cash, Lopez reportedly fled the scene the vehicle that was stolen from the Newtown incident previously mentioned.

That particular stolen vehicle was recovered about two hours later at the Mobil Gas Station at 112 Newtown Rd., where Osvaldo Lopez is believed to have left it when he allegedly stole another car from a woman who was pumping gas. Police say that while at the pump, Lopez entered the car through the driver's side, slammed the door in the woman's face, and began to drive away, causing the woman to fall to the pavement. Osvaldo Lopez, who was already incarcerated on a separate charge, was arrested on December 21 and charged with robbery and larceny. He was held on a court set bond of $250,000 for one robbery and $75,000 for the other.

On October 11, police say that Carlos Mejias-Montero and another suspect entered Edwin and Julia Liquor Store on Westville Avenue in Danbury and brandished a gun before fleeing with cash cigarettes, and several bottles of liquor. Danbury Detectives arrested Mejias-Montero on December 21, and he was charged with robbery and larceny. He was held on a $150,000 bond.

Finally, on Tuesday (January 2) Giovani Canales was arrested and charged with robbery, larceny, possession of a firearm, unlawful restraint, and risk of injury to a minor as the result of an investigation into the armed robbery that happened at Valentin Travel & Sur Express on Elm St. on November 25. Police say Canales threatened an employee with a gun while her young daughter was standing next to her before taking off with an undisclosed amount of cash. He was held on $150,000 bond.

The Danbury Detectives Bureau says that this is still an open investigation and more arrests are expected.

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