By Hooker? By Crook

A 19-year-old New Haven man en route to what he thought was a rendezvous with a prostitute in Hamden ended up being robbed and kidnapped instead.

Three months later, Hamden police have arrested one of the thieves they said did it.

Here’s what happened, according to Hamden police spokesman Capt. Ronald Smith:

The 19-year-old went to State Street on Oct. 5 for the expected rendezvous. The men showed up instead, said they had a gun. They stole $140 from the victim, then ​“forced” him into the backseat of his vehicle. One of the robbers drove the car to ​“several local ATMS” in New Haven, where they withdrew a total of $600. Then the victim was driven to a New Haven residence and dropped off, with his vehicle.

The victim reported the incident to Hamden police on Oct. 7. Detective John Marks ​“conducted an extensive investigation” leading to the obtaining of an arrest warrant for a 19-year-old Hamden man on charges of first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnaping with a firearm; and second-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny.

Hamden police found the suspect in Meriden Court Friday and served the warrant. He was being held on a $250,000 bond.

A day earlier, Hamden police arrested a 24-year-old New Haven man on numerous charges for alleging firing ​“multiple shots” at someone entering the Three Brothers Diner on Dixwell Avenue shortly after 2 a.m. on Dec. 16. (The target didn’t get injured.) New Haven police worked with Hamden cops on the investigation.