Man suspected in multiple robberies in custody

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WATERBURY — Police have arrested a man suspected in 19 armed robberies throughout the region.

Naugatuck police caught up with Michael Harris, 29, in Waterbury Feb. 4 after trailing him from a robbery in Southington, according to Middlebury police.

After information developed by Torrington police identified Harris as a suspect in a serious of armed robberies, police set up surveillance on him and were parked nearby when he robbed the Southington store. They followed him to the parking lot of Texas Roadhouse on Reidville Drive in Waterbury, where they arrested him, Middlebury police said.

Harris is suspected of robbing stores in towns up and down the Route 8 corridor. During the robberies, Middlebury Police Chief Francis Dabbo said, Harris displayed a large black handgun, which turned out to be a bb gun.

In Naugatuck, Lt. Bryan Cammarata said police have applied for arrest warrants for Harris related to robberies at the DP Mart on New Haven Road and a liquor store.

Harris, who lists multiple addresses in Torrington, Ansonia and Naugatuck, has an extensive criminal record including theft of a firearm, risk of injury, assault, larceny and possession of narcotics, Dabbo said.

He is currently facing charges including breach of peace, larceny, criminal trespass, violation of a protective order, vehicular violations, disorderly conduct and assault in Torrington; robbery, larceny and breach of peace in Middlebury; and larceny and robbery in Southington.

He is being held on bonds totaling $500,000.