A jury in New Haven has found William Rosario Lopez, 39, guilty of multiple charges related to a series of armed robberies at Connecticut gas stations during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, as announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Marc H. Silverman.
The evidence showed that on March 18, 2020, Rosario Lopez committed his first robbery at the Shell Gas Station on Hartford Turnpike in Vernon. Wearing a black mask, Rosario Lopez pointed a pistol at the store employee, forced him to the cash register, and struck him. He took the cash and fled the scene.
Subsequent robberies occurred on March 22, 2020. At approximately 10 p.m., he robbed the Fleet Gas Station in Southington while wearing a surgical-type mask. He followed with another robbery about an hour later at the Shell Gas Station on Hamilton Avenue in Waterbury, using a similar method.
On March 23, 2020, Rosario Lopez targeted the Shell Gas Station on Main Street in Ansonia. In this incident, he threatened the employee with a firearm and fired a shot when the register was not opened quickly. The employee escaped uninjured.
On March 26, 2020, Rosario Lopez conducted another robbery at the Citgo Gas Station on West Main Street in New Britain, obtaining money from the cash register.
Solimar Rodriguez Gonzalez played a role as a lookout for some robberies and was captured on surveillance footage in both Vernon and Waterbury.
Rosario Lopez and Gonzalez were arrested on April 9, 2020. During their arrest, a search of their vehicle uncovered a .25-caliber pistol and ammunition.
Rosario Lopez's criminal background includes attempted murder and gun possession in New York, and multiple serious offenses in Puerto Rico.
He has been convicted of several crimes, including four counts of obstruction of interstate commerce by robbery under the Hobbs Act, attempted obstruction, brandishing a firearm during a robbery, and possession of a firearm by a felon. He could face a minimum of 28 years to life in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set, and Rosario Lopez remains detained.
Gonzalez pled guilty on January 21, 2025, to aiding and abetting obstruction of commerce and awaits sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, Connecticut State Police, and local police departments in Vernon, Southington, Waterbury, Ansonia, New Britain, New Haven, and Guilford. The prosecution team includes Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth L. Gresham, Robert S. Ruff, and Daniel P. Gordon.