Husband and wife store owners killed in robbery
Anthony DeMarco, JCK Senior Editor -- JCK Online, 2/3/2005 3:56:00 PM
An armed robbery of a Fairfield, Conn., jewelry store on Wednesday ended with the shooting deaths of the couple who owned the store.
The couple was identified in news reports as Kimberly Ann Donnelly, and her husband, Timothy Donnelly, both 52 years old. The couple was gunned down at about 6 p.m. Wednesday at their store, Donnelly Jewelry, on Post Road, police say. What was robbed is undetermined.
Fairfield Police have identified the suspect as Christopher DiMeo and have issued an alert for him. They say he is believed to be armed with an automatic pistol and should be considered "extremely dangerous."
Police describe DiMeo as a 23-year old white male, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 170-190 lbs., with light brown hair, blue eyes. Police says he may be driving a 1999 black Honda Passport. DiMeo is a suspect in three recent jewelry store robberies in Rockland and Nassau counties in New York, including one that resulted in the murder of a jewelry store manager.
Police say he enters jewelry stores pretending to be a customer. He inquires about purchasing a diamond ring and then remains in the store from 20 to 45 minutes. He usually carries a plastic shopping bag. He empties trays of diamond rings into the bag before fleeing.
Police say he is addicted to heroin and gambling. They are asking people near Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard, Conn., and Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn., to pay special attention for him.
DiMeo also is listed as a parole violator with a prior criminal record.
In addition to the Fairfield robbery, police say DiMeo is a suspect in the following robberies:
* Dec. 5,2004, Roberts Jewelers, Westbury, N.Y. Robbery of $100,000 in assorted rings
* Dec. 21, 2004, J&J Jewels, Glen Head, N.Y. Shoots and kills manager during robbery. Loss is approximately $100,000 in rings & bracelets.
* Jan. 26, Rockland Jewelry Exchange, Nanuet, N.Y. Robbery of approximately $80,000 in rings.
Anyone with information should contact Fairfield Police and ask for Lt. Chris Lyddy, Sgt. Ed Greene or Det. Bruce Peterson at 203-254-4840.
