(Bridgeport, CT – June 6, 2014) – Two men face charges in connection with the armed robbery of a Western Union business in February after a 10-week  investigation by city detectives.

Angelo Vinson, 54, of New York, and Joseph Smith, 42, also of New York, were arrested and appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court this week in connection with arrest warrants stemming from a February robbery in Bridgeport.

“This was a complex investigation. I can’t say enough about the work the detectives put in and the help we received from patrol officers and the U.S. Marshal’s Service,” said Capt. James Viadero, the supervisor of the detective bureau. “A lot of hours were put into this case. The investigation took us to three states.”

Detectives Jorge Cintron, Martin Heanue and Thomas Scholl investigated the Feb. 7 robbery, which happened at 8:40 a.m. at the Western Union at 2390 Main St. Two men entered the location and one requested a money order. When the employee started the transaction, both men forced open the door leading to the rear counter. The men punched and pistol whipped the employee and forced him into a back room where they bound him with duct tape.

The suspects fled with cash after the robbery was interrupted when other customers entered the business.

Detectives received a description of both suspects and their clothing. Police then checked video from businesses in the area and observed the suspects speaking with the driver of a green conversion van, , later identified as Smith,  in the area of Main and Charles streets.

Pictures of the van were distributed through the patrol division.

Two days after the robbery, Officer Kevin Cronin informed detectives that he had previously seen the van parked in the lot at 2635 Main St. That lead proved crucial.

Heanue and Cintron spoke with people at the residence, who informed police that the van’s owner was a former tenant. Detectives then spoke with the realtor for the building, who provided detectives with the name of the former tenants connected to the van.

Ultimately, detectives were able to secure additional video from the downtown train station showing the two robbers arriving on a Metro North train from the New York area the morning of the robbery. They also were able to speak with Smith, the owner of the green van, who provided some information but then became uncooperative.

During the course of the investigation, detectives visited locations in New York and Pennsylvania and gained new information that ultimately led to a positive identification from the victim of one of the suspects and the arrests.

The two men were arrested in New York and waived extradition.

“These detectives didn’t give up. They followed the leads and traveled hundreds of miles but arrived at the truth,” said Mayor Bill Finch.

Vinson was charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, unlawful restraint and second-degree larceny. His bond was set at $400,000.

Smith was charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery and conspiracy to commit second-degree larceny. He is believed to be the driver of the green van. His bond was set at $250,000.

The investigation remains ongoing. The third suspect has not yet been apprehended.

                                                                  Vinson                                                                  

Smith