The suspect in a Shelton bank robbery is in custody after a two-hour standoff on Pleasantview Avenue in Stratford early Thursday morning, according to police.
Police said 24-year-old Bryce Laister, whose last known address was in Bridgeport, was wanted in connection with bank robberies at the Stop and Shop People’s Bank in Shelton and New Haven and authorities had four outstanding arrest warrants in Connecticut and three from out of state.
Authorities had received information that Laister was staying at a home on Pleasantview Avenue, so members of the U.S. marshals fugitive task force, Stratford police and Shelton detectives responded to the home at 6 a.m. to try and find him.
The homeowner answered the door and confirmed Laister was upstairs.
When authorities entered the room, Laister pulled a handgun and that led to a standoff with officers.
Around two hours later, officers on scene were able to negotiate a peaceful surrender and Laister was taken into custody by Stratford Police.
Later in the day, Shelton Police charged Laister in connection with the Shelton People’s Bank armed robbery on May 30.
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He was charged with first-degree robbery, third-degree larceny, criminal possession of a firearm, criminal use of a firearm and second-degree breach of peace.
Laister was held on a $500,000 bond.
He is accused of robbing the Peoples Bank inside Stop and Shop at 898 Bridgeport Ave, in Shelton around 12:30 p.m. on May 30.
Police said he has a semi-automatic pistol and demanded cash from both tellers on duty, then left with the cash.
In Stratford, Laister faces additional charges, including first-degree threatening, having a pistol without a permit and criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
Correction: An earlier version of the story listed the suspect's name as Bruce Leister.
