A 36-year-old would-be suspected thief is due in court Wednesday after he allegedly tried to steal a tip jar at a Hartford bakery and the owner shot him in the leg.
Marcus Torres, of Hartford, was arrested and charged with first-degree attempted robbery and third-degree assault.
Police said Marcus Torres "made a motion as if he was removing a weapon from his waistband." He was taken to Hartford Hospital for treatment and was arrested upon his release.
Jessie Torres, who owns Barranquitas Mini Bakery at 262 Franklin Avenue with her husband, said she knew something was wrong right away when a man in a hoodie came in "looking weird."
The man tried to grab the jar, which held around $100 in tips, but it was screwed down to the counter because someone had stolen it before.
"He just tried to pull the tip jar. ... He saw that he couldn’t take it, so he started screaming at my husband. He went after him and then whatever happened over there," Jessie Torres said. "I thought the guy was going to rob me because they’ve been robbing a lot of businesses on this street."
Jessie Torres' husband chased him down the street and shot him in the leg, she said.
U.S. & World
Neighbors heard the gunfire, including one whos granddaughter had just left the bakery.
"She was just there 15 minutes before I heard the shot go. At first my husband thought it was a firecracker," Antonia Baker said. "I said, 'No. That was a gunshot.'"
Police said Marcus Torres is no stranger to law enforcement and has been previously arrested in Hartford 27 times. He's being held on $100,000 bond and is due in court Wednesday.
Authorities questioned the bakery owner, who has a valid gun permit. He could face charges for firing his weapon in a city street even though he had the permit to carry the weapon, but no charges have been filed at this time.
Police continue to investigate.
The bakery reopened Wednesday morning.
