A Connecticut woman celebrating her 50th birthday in style has been charged with robbing her own limousine driver and threatening to shoot up the limo in a Willimantic parking lot.
Police arrested Melanie Roberts, 50, of Willimantic shortly after midnight on Monday. They said Roberts had just returned from a birthday bash in New York City when she got into a dispute with her limo driver over the amount due for the ride.
According to police, Roberts took the keys from the limo, ran into her house and got a loaded 9mm pistol, then went back outside, threatening to shoot out the tires of the car. She stole a GPS device and a clipboard containing money and her contract from inside the limo, police said.
Roberts took off and the driver called 911. Police found her in the same parking lot off Jackson Street a few minutes later.
Roberts was charged with first-degree robbery, larceny, breach of peace, second-degree threatening and carrying a firearm under the influence.
She was held on $35,000 bond after facing a judge on Monday. Prosecutors said Roberts has struggled with mental health issues, so the judge placed her on a medical and mental health watch.
Information on an attorney for Roberts was not immediately available.
