Serial Connecticut Bank Robber Caught in Hartford

Within the past few weeks, the nation watched grainy surveillance video as a brazen woman walked into 6 banks and demanded money. She never disguised her face nor made any attempt to conceal her identity. Now, Heather Brown is in custody.

Brown, a 34 year old Connecticut resident, has a history of drug abuse and crime, according to this article from the Hartford Courant. She is currently on probation for charges of burglary, larceny, forgery, and prostitution. She was recently released from a 30 month prison bid for a 2006 bank robbery.

People believe it was drugs that led Brown to so boldly rob 6 banks in 6 days. As a matter of fact, when she was apprehended, she was found on the North End of Hartford where it is believed she was trying to purchase drugs.

Brown never showed a gun but claims, on a few occasions, that the bag she carried in the robberies contained a bomb. She is now being held on $250,000 bail and the full extent of her charges is not yet known.

Bank robbery is one of the most serious theft crimes because it contains a threat of violence. Robbery is a similar offense that puts individuals at risk.

With general theft crimes, also called larceny charges, the charge you face and the subsequent sentence are only based on the value of the property in question. Robbery falls under a completely different category all together.

If you face larceny charges, however, you could be facing something as small as a Class C misdemeanor charge in the case of 6th degree larceny, or as much as a Class B felony charge and up to 20 years in prison for Grand Larceny.

Typically offenses like this are committed out of need. Many people see the risk they take when committing a theft crime to be worth the potential outcome. They see it as worth the risk, that is, until they get caught.

If you are facing charges of larceny or robbery, I may be able to help. Call me today to discuss the details of your case.

DUI for Connecticut High School Coach

Forty three year old Paul Burke faced a judge this past week on charges of DUI stemming from an arrest that took place over a year ago. Burke pled not guilty last year and it seems his case is finally ready to go forward.

According to The Connecticut Post, the Greenwich high school lacrosse coach crashed his BMW into a wall on Middlesex Road in Darien last year. Police found Burke to be unsteady on his feet with bloodshot, glassy eyes. They took him in where he was found to reportedly have a blood alcohol level of .29 percent.

He wasn’t arrested until two months after the accident, at which time he was charged with DUI and failure to keep right. He was subsequently suspended from his position as coach and history teacher.

Since the suspension, Burke was reinstated on an agreement with the school district stating that any further violations will result in his terminations. The agreement also has Burke submitting to criminal background checks, donating his money to an advocacy group and refraining from drinking in illegal capacities.

As expected, some parents were appalled at the coach’s situation while others defended him. The same can be said with most criminal charges. It is when you are in your darkest moments that you truly find out who is on your side and who is a fair weather friend.

Burke has at least one prior DUI on his record which could impact his sentence if found guilty this time. A first time DUI offense leads to license suspension, jail time, and fines, among other things.

If you are facing DUI charges now, you are likely wondering if your case could take as long as Burke’s to resolve. If we opt to go to trial, it could, though it is unlikely.

Call me with questions about your case today. I am willing to give you a free consultation and we can discuss your options at a greater length.