A Hartford man with an extensive criminal record has been arrested for armed robbery in Waterbury

WATERBURY, Conn. (WFSB) – A Hartford man has been arrested in connection with an October robbery in Waterbury.

Police say they responded to Snipes Clothing Store on Lakewood Road on Oct. 15 for a report of an armed robbery.

Officers learned that a man, later identified as Jose Rivera-Gonzalez, 52, of Hartford, had threatened store employees with a gun. He also physically assaulted an employee before running off with money.

“With assistance from the Hartford Police Department, Waterbury detectives executed a search warrant at Rivera’s residence on October 23, 2024, discovering evidence linking Rivera to the October 15 robbery at Snipes and seizing ammunition from the residence ,” Waterbury police said.

Police say Rivera-Gonzalez has an extensive criminal history, including prior charges for robbery (both with and without a firearm), kidnapping, firearms violations, unlawful restraint and theft.

His last arrest known to Waterbury police was in 2013, when he robbed a TD bank.

He was charged with robbery, assault, theft and criminal possession of a firearm/ammunition.

Rivera is currently being held by the Connecticut Department of Corrections on a 75,000 bond.