A self-described wanderer passed through New Haven looking to score — and left town poorer for it.
The man’s visit took place on Sunday. Here’s what happened, in the words of police spokesman Officer David Hartman (amended to use the victim’s first name only):
At 9:25 PM, Officers Steven Travaglino and Jazmin Delgado were on the beat at Grand Avenue and Franklin Street, when they were approached by a man claiming to have been robbed inside the Farnam Court Housing Complex. The victim, fifty-seven year old Joseph, a self-described “wanderer’ from Washington State, stopped in New Haven to buy syringes for heroin. He said he was trying to get to New Hampshire.
Joseph said he’s travelled through these parts before and knew a guy named “Mark”. He said he found Mark and the two set off to buy beer and heroin. Joseph told the cops he’d given Mark twenty bucks to get him the drugs. He said that was the last he saw of Mark. Joseph then said he met a woman named “Trish.” He gave her another of his twenties and asked her to buy him drugs. True to her word, Trish returned with his purchase.
Joseph said he didn’t have any syringes. Neither did Trish. The two went to a nearby apartment. Joseph said he thought it was hers. It wasn’t. Joseph said he thought he saw Mark inside. Three others were there as well. They beat him up and relieved him of his remaining eighty dollars.
Joseph was unable to provide detectives with descriptions of his assailants. He told them he wasn’t happy with his New Haven visit and wanted to leave Connecticut.
A Story Rife with Simple Lessons.....