WINSTED — Five men were arrested by the Winchester Police Department early Thursday morning after brutally assaulting two men in separate attempted robberies.
The five men arrested, Taylor M. Dunbar, 19, of 240 Holabird Ave., Winsted; Christopher R. Layton, 23, of 55 Cherachet Road, Avon; Adam V. Salazar, 20, of 71 Upson Ave., Winsted; Garrett Murning, 19, of 55 Cherachet Road, Avon; and a 17-year-old Winsted resident, were charged with two counts of robbery, assault and breach of peace.
The first robbery was reported shortly before midnight Wednesday, Jan. 9, after a 44-year-old man was attacked on Main Street while walking home from work. According to a police press release, a knife and a firearm were displayed by the robbers, but were not used on the victim, whose name has not been released.
"A scuffle ensued and the suspects repeatedly punched and kicked the victim before fleeing without obtaining any money, stated the press release.
Less than one hour later, on Jan. 10, a second robbery was reported to police in the area of Taylor Brook Park at Highland Lake. There a 49-year-old man was again attacked, searched for money and severely beaten.
According to the press release, "All five punched and kicked the victim repeatedly in the head, arms and body as they fished through his pockets for money and his wallet, neither of which he had on his person."
Both victims reported to police that the five men were riding in a black Nissan Maxima. One of the police officers passed the suspects car on West Wakefield Boulevard while he was responding to the second incident. A short time later, the first victim saw the same vehicle at Cumberland Farms and quickly notified police of his alleged attackers' location.
Winchester police officers Gene Rout, Chris Roy Joseph Milhomens and Kim Maher quickly arrested the five men and received a positive identification from the first victim.
