Crime & Safety
Man Sought by Police as Shooting Suspect
Accused of shooting a drug dealer during a robbery. Considered armed and dangerous, police say.
Detectives are asking for the public's help in locating a man alleged to have shot a drug dealer he was robbing a week ago Sunday in the parking lot of Kendall Elementary School.
During a news conference Monday, Det. Sgt. Thomas Roncinske said police are looking for Kareem Leach as one of two men they believe met the dealer under the pretense of wanting to purchase drugs from him.
"When they were in the process of doing the deal, Leach pulled out a gun and attempted to rob the people in the car," said Roncinske. "That went wrong and the subject was shot."
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Officers were dispatched to Norwalk Hospital the evening of Sunday, Jan. 13, on a report from the Emergency Department that a man was being treated there for a gunshot wound to the leg. The victim told officers he was shot during an attempted robbery in the parking lot of Kendall Elementary School at 55 Fillow St. He said two men participated in the hold-up.
Police have already arrested the man they say participated in the robbery with Leach, but Roncinske said Leach is suspected of firing the gun.
Find out what's happening in Norwalkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"(Leach) has an extensive criminal history," said Roncinske. "His last arrest was for shooting somebody."
Roncinske said Leach is also a suspect in a shooting that occurred in Bridgeport in October. He said it was a similar incident to this where they were robbing drug dealers.
He said Leach is a former resident of the Colonial Village housing project on Suncrest Road.
A day after the robbery, police arrested Anthony Jean-Pierre by warrant, accusing him of committing the robbery with Leach. Jean-Pierre, 19, of 15 Prowitt St., was charged with first-degree assault, first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery and unlawful discharge of a firearm.
State judicial records show Jean-Pierre was arrested by Norwalk Police in January 2008 and charged with second-degree robbery. He entered a guilty plea in July 2009 and was sentenced to eight years in prison, suspended after time served, plus three years probation.
Anyone with information about Leach's whereabouts is asked to contact Det. David Hudyma at (203) 854-3192 or Dhudyma@Norwalkct.org. Information can also be provided through the NPD Tip line, (303) 854-3111.
