Man fends of would-be robber

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Derrick Wilson

NAUGATUCK — A 74-year-old retired police officer foiled the plans of a would-be robber Tuesday morning in Linden Park.

Police said the man was walking near the tennis courts in the park at about 8:15 a.m. when he was approached from behind by a man, later identified as 18-year-old Derrick Wilson of Naugatuck. Wilson grabbed the man by his shoulder, turned him around and pointed a silver handgun at him and told him to “gimme your money,” according to police.

The retired officer recognized the gun wasn’t real and tried to knock it out of Wilson’s hand with an umbrella after telling him he didn’t have any money, police said. Wilson then fled the scene, according to police.

Police found Wilson walking on North Main Street at about 11 a.m. after receiving a report of a suspicious man, who fit the suspect’s description, in the area. Police said Wilson confessed to the robbery attempt while being questioned and had the fake handgun on him.

Police charged Wilson, of 46 Bridge St., with first-degree attempted robbery, breach of peace and possession of a facsimile handgun. He was held on bond and scheduled to appear in Waterbury Superior Court on Wednesday.