MANCHESTER, CT — Two suspects were arrested following an armed robbery at a convenience store on Center Street late Tuesday night.
Officers responded to Neighbors Mart at 129 Center Street at approximately 11:47 p.m. on Dec. 16 after receiving a report of an armed robbery.
The store clerk told police that two male suspects wearing dark clothing entered the store, attempted to rob him, and pointed a firearm in his direction.
The clerk repeatedly ordered the suspects to leave the store and then contacted 911.
The suspects had fled the scene before officers arrived.
Officers deployed a department drone equipped with thermal imaging technology to search for the suspects.
The drone located two individuals running along the Cheeney Rail Trail near the intersection of Pine Street and Arch Street.
Using the drone, officers observed a suspect hiding behind a dumpster, who was taken into custody without incident.
A second suspect was also located in the area and taken into custody.
The suspects were identified as Danny Rodriguez Jr., 19, of Hartford, and a 17-year-old juvenile from Manchester.
A K-9 unit assisted with evidence recovery after a firearm was not located on either suspect during the arrest.
The K-9 located a discarded backpack in the immediate area containing a loaded AK-47-style pistol and a high-capacity magazine containing 21 rounds of ammunition.
Rodriguez was charged with robbery in the 1st degree, conspiracy to commit robbery in the 1st degree, threatening in the 1st degree, criminal use of a firearm, carrying a dangerous weapon, breach of peace in the 2nd degree, possession of a large capacity magazine, carrying a pistol without a permit, possession of an assault weapon, reckless endangerment in the 1st degree and interfering with police.
Rodriguez was held on a $1 million bond and issued a court date of Jan. 21, 2026, at Manchester Superior Court.
The 17-year-old was charged with robbery in the 1st degree, conspiracy to commit robbery in the 1st degree, threatening in the 2nd degree, reckless endangerment in the 1st degree, breach of peace in the 2nd degree, criminal attempt to commit assault in the 3rd degree and interfering with police.
Due to the age of the juvenile suspect, no further information will be released.
