Man facing charges in drug deal turned robbery

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Christopher Francisquini

NAUGATUCK — Police arrested a local man and charged him with an assault that landed another man in the hospital with serious head injuries.

Christopher Francisquini, 21, 168 Maple St., was arrested June 21 and charged with assault, robbery, and criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in connection with an incident police described as a drug deal turned robbery.

According to an affidavit filed in Waterbury Superior Court, 23-year-old Matthew Solberg told police he met two other men June 16 at about 9 p.m. to sell a quarter-pound of marijuana for $1,200 in the back room of Urban Cutz at 14 Church St.

Solberg told police he asked one of the men, known as “Babyface,” to see the money before handing over the drugs. “Babyface,” later identified as Francisquini of 168 Maple St., then held a gun to Solberg’s head, Solberg told police.

Francisquini took Solberg’s drugs and money before Solberg grabbed the gun and tried to fight, thinking Francisquini was going to kill him, he told police. Francisquini hit Solberg repeatedly in the head with the gun and then pulled the trigger, but the gun did not fire, Solberg said.

Solberg managed to escape, leaving blood all over the back room, he told police. A friend drove him to Waterbury Hospital and he was later transferred to Yale-New Haven Hospital, where he had surgery to replace part of his fractured skull with a mesh plate, according to police.

Many cuts on his face and head had to be stitched and his head was swollen and bruised, according to police.

“He’s been released from the hospital, and he’s doing well and expected to recover,” Det. Jay Pugliese said.

The state police Major Crimes Squad assisted borough detectives in executing a search warrant and processing the crime scene, Pugliese said.

Pugliese said the victim’s blood was cleaned up prior to police being notified of the incident. State police assisted with recovering blood evidence and documenting the scene, he said.

The state police Major Crime Squad assisted borough police Thursday in an investigation of an assault that occurred Saturday night at the Urban Cutz barber shop on Church Street. –RA ARCHIVE

While police were searching the barber shop June 21, Solberg and a friend called them to say they had found his attacker on Facebook. Solberg then identified Francisquini in a photo lineup, according to the affidavit.

Francisquini is also facing multiple other charges which stem from an incident that occurred when police served him the warrant.

At about 5:45 p.m. June 21, police went to the McDonald’s on New Haven Road, where Francisquini works as a cook, to arrest him in connection with the beating and robbery, Officer Michael Favale said.

Francisquini’s father was at the restaurant arguing with his son when police arrived, Favale said. During the argument, he said, Francisquini’s father grabbed his son’s backpack from behind the counter and threw it on the ground and officers saw marijuana in the backpack.

Francisquini then attacked and hit his father, Favale said, and had to be restrained by police.

Francisquini was additionally charged with illegal sale of controlled substance, non-student in possession of drugs near a school, high school or daycare, possession of controlled substance, assault in the third degree, breach of peace, and interfering with an officer.

Francisquini was convicted in 2010 of drug, assault, and robbery charges. He was also convicted last October of risk of injury to a child. He is on probation until 2015.

Solberg was convicted in 2009 of possessing a controlled substance and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Francisquini was arraigned at Waterbury Superior Court June 22 and held on bond. He is scheduled to appear in court again July 25.

Elio Gugliotti contributed to this article.