BRIDGEPORT — A Bristol man was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison Wednesday for committing 37 robberies and attempted robberies across Connecticut in 2022.
Lonny Cross, 46, received the sentence from U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley, followed by three years of supervised release, according to Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
Between September 5 and October 13, 2022, Cross targeted gas station convenience stores, mini-markets, and liquor stores in 23 Connecticut municipalities and Port Chester, New York, stealing more than $58,000 in cash.
Court documents revealed that Cross often worked with Rebecca Barbera, who would scout locations to determine the number of employees and customers before Cross entered displaying a knife or fake firearm.
During the robberies, Cross threatened employees with statements including “I know where you work” and “if you call the police I’ll come back and blow your head off.”
In a September 24, 2022, incident in Wethersfield, Cross threatened a 12-year-old boy with a knife while the child was alone behind the counter at his family’s store.
Authorities arrested Cross on October 14, 2022, after searching his residence and vehicle, where they found clothing matching those worn during robberies, along with heroin, crack cocaine, and drug paraphernalia.
While in jail following his arrest, Cross directed Barbera and others to dispose of a weapon he had used in the robberies.
Cross, who was on state parole for prior robbery convictions at the time of these crimes, has 18 previous convictions for robbery and other offenses.
On May 21, 2024, Cross pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery and one count of Hobbs Act Robbery.
Barbera has also pleaded guilty to a related charge and awaits sentencing.
