Home invasion suspects named

WINSTED — Two Winsted men have been arrested in connection with a Platt Hill Road home invasion earlier this month.

Robert Hackett, 41, of Pratt Street in Winsted and Jeffrey Gagnon, 43, of West Wakefield Boulevard both voluntarily turned themselves in to Winsted police April 24 after learning warrants had been issued for their arrest in relation to an April 17 robbery.

According to police, Hackett told police that on the morning of April 17, he and Gagnon drove to Platt Hill Road, where he dropped off Gagnon.

Hackett continued on Platt Hill Road toward Laurel Way, police said, at which point he turned around and drove back and picked up Gagnon, who was running toward Sucker Brook Road.

Police said the front tire of Hackett’s vehicle was damaged during the incident. He was considered a suspect early in the department’s investigation.

When police interviewed Hackett that same day, he initially denied any involvement in the crime. Police, however, reported that he later said he felt “guilty� about his involvement, and told investigators that he and Gagnon were responsible for the home invasion.

Gagnon has denied any involvement in the incident, but police said physical evidence and statements from witnesses connect him to the home invasion.

Both men were charged with home invasion, conspiracy to commit a home invasion, burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny.

Bail for Gagnon was set at $500,000 and at $250,000 for Hackett. The two men were arraigned on April 26.

According to the initial police report, a lone white male broke into the Platt Hill Road home brandishing a tire iron. The attacker threatened the home’s two occupants and demanded money. He then left the scene with a small amount of cash.

One of the residents sustained minor injuries during the incident but did not require medical attention.

After the attack, police said the suspect ran back to a car that was parked a short way down from the home. He then drove off toward Route 263. According to the occupants of the targeted home, the car made a very loud sound as though it had brake problems.

Police said the case remains open, with investigators following up on other leads, and other arrests possible upon completion of the investigation.

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