At approximately 2:37 PM on Friday, July 19th,2024, Troopers were dispatched to the area of the Citgo gas station, 647 School St, and Walmart, 625 School St, for reports of a woman threatening people with a knife in the parking lot.
When Troopers arrived, they found bystanders restraining the woman, later identified as 34-year-old Contessa Vayo of Brooklyn, near the Citgo gas station, and placed her in handcuffs to continue their investigations. It was determined the woman would need medical treatment for injuries she sustained in the incident and the East Putnam Fire Department, Putnam EMS, and QV Medic responded to the scene. Vayo was arrested and transported to Day Kimball Hospital. Upon release from the hospital, she was transported to Troop D.
According to witness statements provided to the Connecticut State Police (CSP), and subsequently released by CSP, a man was seen running from Walmart with a cart full of merchandise and another person screaming that he was shoplifting. One of the witnesses began chasing the man toward an older model Chevy Tahoe in the parking lot.
Another witness reported seeing the man arrive at his vehicle, and he and Vayo began loading the items into the Tahoe. To prevent them from leaving, the witness parked his vehicle in a position where the Tahoe was unable to leave its parking spot.
The witness then realized the Tahoe was running as the two suspects were loading the items. The witness moved to take the keys from the Tahoe and was met by Vayo, jumping through the passenger side, swinging a knife. The witness was able to get the keys and run away, through the parking lot, towards Citgo while being chased by the woman.
From this point on the whereabouts of the original suspect are unknown.
Vayo then entered the witness’s vehicle and drove erratically through the parking lot after him, nearly striking several vehicles and bystanders.
A third witness saw the man being chased with a knife and moved to help. When he reached the pair, he found the man reaching through the passenger side of his vehicle attempting to remove Vayo. The third witness reached through the driver’s side, putting his foot on the break and shifting the vehicle into park. At this point, Vayo was actively swinging the knife and was struck by the man on the passenger side of the vehicle “to disarm her and prevent injuries.”
The man on the driver’s side then removed Vayo from the vehicle and restrained her until Troopers arrived on the scene.
During the incident, the third witness was bit in the arm and two tires of the second witness’s vehicle were slashed.
Troopers seized a knife from Vayo, measuring longer than 6″, and the Tahoe was found to be unregistered/uninsured and using a license plate not intended for it. Troopers were also able to confirm that the man had never attempted to pay for Walmart’s merchandise.
The man who originally left the store was not on the scene when Trooper arrived. As the investigation continues, anyone with information regarding the identity of the male involved in this incident is asked to contact Trooper Zachary Thetreault at Troop D, 860-779-4900 or by email at zachary.thetreault@ct.gov. Reference case number 2400275709.
Vayo was arrested on the below charges and held on a $75,000 bond. She was scheduled for arraignment at Danielson Superior Court on 07/22/24.
- 3 counts – Threatening 1st Degree (53a-61aa(a))
- Larceny 1st Degree (53a-122)
- Robbery 1st Degree (53a-134)
- Breach of Peace 2nd Degree (53a-181)
- Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree (53a-116)
- 2 counts – Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree (53a-63)
- Larceny 6th Degree (53a-125b)
- Assault 3rd Degree (53a-61)
- Possession of a Dangerous Weapon (53-206(b))
- Reckless Driving (14-222)
- Misuse of License Plates (14-147)
- Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle (14-12(a)*)
- Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Insurance (14-213b)
Vayo currently has pending charges for numerous drug crimes including:
- Operation of a Drug Factory (21a-277(c))
- Failure to Appear 1st Degree (53a-172)
- Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Offense (21a-279(a)(1))
- Use of Drug Paraphernalia (21a-267(a))
Quiet Corner Alerts maintains a policy of not revealing the names of victims or suspects unless they are actively being sought by law enforcement or pose a perceived threat to the public.