Police: Merchant Traps Robber Behind Security Gate

A quick-thinking bodega owner trapped an armed robber inside his South Norwalk store Sunday morning by running outside and pulling down a security gate, police said.

The owner told police he was setting up merchandise inside the Elite Mini-Mart, 284 Ely Ave., when a man came from behind and threatened him with a knife. The owner fled the store and pulled down the security gate and locked it.

Police were dispatched to the store at 8:15 a.m. When a sufficient number of officers were on scene, they had the storeowner roll up the gate. The officers reported the alleged robber was standing inside and expressed confusion about what had occurred, telling them he hadn't done anything.

The officers reported the man, later identified as Michael Fagan, had tried to escape by punching a hole through a bathroom ceiling. However, he was foiled when the sink he was standing on broke off the wall, police said..

Fagan, 30, of 31 Stuart Ave., was charged with first-degree robbery and third-degree criminal mischief. Out on parole, Fagan was held on $100,000 bond and given a court date of July 26.

Court records show a Michael Fagan born in 1981 has previously been convicted in state Superior Court in Norwalk of selling hallucinogens, risk of injury to a minor, second-degree criminal mischief, second-degree criminal trespass, and second-degree breach of peace, following arrests dating back to 2007.