Man Faces Robbery Charge

A downtown store manager's cries for help after a suspect stole two handbags prompted two Good Samaritans to spring into action and nab the man for Greenwich Police.

According to a Greenwich Police report, the suspect snatched the purses from Cochni at 50 Greenwich Ave. around 3:40 p.m. Oct. 17 and ran from the store. Two unidentified passersby heard the manager's yells and attempted to restrain the suspect who "threatened the use of a gun if he was not let go," according to the report.

When officers arrived, they searched the man and found two syringes in his pocket "which the accused advised were for the use of illegal narcotics," according to the report.

Casey J. Ritch, 35, of 9 Buena Vista Dr., Greenwich, was charged with second-degree robbery, fourth-degree larceny, second-degree threatening and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was held in lieu of $5,000 bond and scheduled to appear Oct. 24 in state Superior Court in Stamford.

The report did not indicate a value on the handbags, however, fourth-degree larceny involves the theft of items valued between $500 and $1,000, according to Connecticut General Statutes.