Thompson, CT & Southbridge, MA — A Webster man who had allegedly just committed two armed robberies in Southbridge was arrested after crashing his car on Quinebaug Road in Thompson.
According to the Southbridge Police Department, at approximately 2:22 PM on Sunday, August 17, 2025, officers responded to a robbery in progress at Walgreens, 455 Main Street. The suspect was reported to be a male armed with a knife, wearing dark clothing and a bandana over his face. Officers arrived and found the store locked, believing the suspect may be inside holding an employee at knifepoint. Officers entered the front and rear of the building simultaneously and were able to clear the building with the assistance of K9 Vice. While clearing the building, a call for another robbery was reported. Officers responded to Country Farms, 53 Hamilton Street, for reports of a male wearing a mask who entered the store and forcefully removed the cash register before fleeing.
During the investigation into both robberies, surveillance footage was obtained, helping investigators determine that the suspect was Richard J. Ormond. Ormond was believed to be homeless, living in a vehicle, with a previous address in Webster, and had an extensive criminal history, including multiple armed robbery convictions. A Be On the Lookout (BOLO) was issued to surrounding agencies for a Grey Chrysler 300 operated by Ormond.
At approximately 3:49 PM on Sunday, August 17, 2025, the Quinebaug Fire Department, Putnam EMS, and the Connecticut State Police were dispatched to the area of Quinebaug Road and Parker Road for a reported Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA).
According to the Connecticut State Police, a 2014 Chrysler 300 operated by Richard J. Ormond was traveling southbound on Quinebaug Rd at excessive speeds. The Chrysler hit the guardrail, traveled into the northbound lane, sideswiping a 2014 Volkswagen Passat, before going airborne over the guardrail and down an embankment.
Firefighters were required to extricate Ormond from his vehicle before he was transported to UMass Memorial with a paramedic onboard. The operator and a passenger of the Passat were both transported to UMass with injuries.
On Monday, August 18, 2025, an arrest warrant was issued for 41-year-old Richard J. Ormond. He was apprehended without incident. Ormond is charged with armed robbery while masked (subsequent offense) and with assault with intent to rob.
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