MILFORD — An armed robbery suspect unsuccessfully attempted to escape custody through a jail cell’s ventilation system Monday, Milford Police Department said.
Jose R. Garcia
Jose R. Garcia, 33, of Milford, also tried to make weapons out of items in the cell, according to spokesman Sgt. Dwight Young, but they were taken from him before he could attempt to use them.
Mr. Garcia was apprehended while trying to hide in a shed after an alleged knife-point robbery at the Market International Store on South Walnut Street, authorities said.
He was also wanted on active warrants in Milford for failure to verify as a registered sex offender and in Georgetown, Sgt. Young said.
Detectives said investigation found that Mr. Garcia allegedly entered the business, pulled a knife and threatened to kill an employee if she didn’t hand over all the money in the store.
After money was turned over, police said, Mr. Garcia grabbed the employee by the neck and started to drag her to the back of the store, saying he was going to sexually assault her.
The employee broke free in the back of the store and headed toward the front door to flee, police said. Mr. Garcia fled on foot and was later apprehended at a residence in the area of SE 2nd Street.
Charges included first-degree robbery (two counts), possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, second-degree kidnapping, aggravated menacing, possession of a deadly weapon by person prohibited, tampering with physical evidence, second-degree attempted escape, terroristic threatening, third-degree assault and criminal mischief under $1,000.
Mr. Garcia was arraigned and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution in Georgetown in lieu of $104,250 cash bond.