Hartford man with extensive criminal history arrested for armed robbery in Waterbury

WATERBURY, Conn. (WFSB) – A Hartford man was arrested for an October robbery in Waterbury.

Police say they responded to the Snipes clothing store on Lakewood Road on Oct. 15 for a report of an armed robbery.

Officers discovered that a man, later identified as 52-year-old Jose Rivera-Gonzalez, of Hartford, had threatened store employees with a gun. He also physically assaulted an employee before fleeing with cash.

“With the assistance of the Hartford Police Department, Waterbury detectives executed a search warrant at Rivera’s residence on October 23, 2024, uncovering evidence linking Rivera to the October 15 robbery of “Snipes” and recovering ammunition from the residence seized,” Waterbury police said.

Police say Rivera-Gonzalez has an extensive criminal history, including prior charges of robbery (both with and without firearms), kidnapping, firearms violations, unlawful restraint and theft.

His last known arrest with the Waterbury Police Department was in 2013, when he robbed a TD Bank.

He was charged with robbery, assault, theft and criminal possession of a firearm/ammunition.

Rivera is currently in the custody of the Connecticut Department of Corrections on a 75,000 bond.