Cromwell cigar shop customers detain Meriden man who tried to steal vehicle, police say

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Cromwell cigar shop customers detain Meriden man who tried to steal vehicle, police say

By Liz Hardaway, Staff WriterApril 29, 2025

A file photo of a Cromwell police vehicle. Cromwell police said they were called to Up In Smoke on Berlin Road Monday after customers detained a Meriden man accused of trying to steal a vehicle. Hearst Connecticut Media

CROMWELL — Customers at a local cigar shop detained a Meriden man who police said tried to steal a car and crashed into a sign.

Police were called to the Up In Smoke shop on Berlin Road just before 1 p.m. Monday for the attempted carjacking. Police said in a news release that Jahil Valle, 21, got into a customer’s vehicle that was running unoccupied and tried to drive away from the scene.

After Valle crashed into a sign, the vehicle’s owner ran out of the shop and pulled Valle out of the car, and police arrived shortly after, police said.

Valle is charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, second-degree criminal trover and first-degree criminal mischief. He was released on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear at state Superior Court in Middletown May 6.

Source: https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/cromwell-carjacking-valle-up-in-smoke-20300746.php