Bridgeport detectives arrest two people for brutal carjacking and robbery

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WFSB) – A man suffered serious injuries after being shot in the face during a carjacking in Bridgeport last month.

On Wednesday, Bridgeport detectives announced they had arrested two suspects on attempted murder and other charges.

One of them is 18-year-old Romeo Montanez from Bridgeport. The second was a 16-year-old juvenile, also from Bridgeport.

The incident occurred on October 7 around 8:45 p.m

Dispatchers said they received a report of multiple shots fired in the area of 1200 Wood Ave.

“Bridgeport officers responded to the scene and located the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the face,” said Tiadora Josef, public information officer for the City of Bridgeport. “The victim, identified as a 20-year-old Stratford man, was quickly transported by AMR ambulance to a local hospital.”

By Wednesday, his condition was critical.

The Bridgeport Police Detective Bureau responded and took control of the investigation.

“During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the victim was shot during an armed robbery, during which one of the suspects presented a firearm and shot him in the face,” Josef said. “Several suspects then stole his vehicle and fled the scene.”

Police reported that the vehicle was later recovered by them.

As a result of the investigation, detectives identified two suspects. Arrest warrant affidavits were filed and signed by a judge on Tuesday.

The 16-year-old turned himself in to the Bridgeport Police Department on Tuesday evening, accompanied by his parent/legal guardian. He was charged with attempted murder, first-degree robbery, robbery by carjacking, first-degree assault and carrying a pistol without a license.

He was being held at the Bridgeport Juvenile Detention Center and is scheduled for a hearing in Bridgeport on Wednesday morning.

Montanez also turned himself in to Bridgeport police, but on Wednesday morning. He was charged with attempted murder, first-degree robbery, robbery by carjacking, first-degree assault and carrying a pistol without a license.

Bail was set at $750,000. He was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday morning in Bridgeport Superior Court.

Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to call Bridgeport detectives at 203 581-5239. You can also use the Bridgeport Police Tip Line at 203-576-TIPS.