Man Sentenced to 4 1/2 Years In Stonington Robbery, Groton Police Chase

A 34-year-old man will serve 4 ½ years in prison for his role in an armed robbery in Stonington and police chase in Groton last August.

Tyrone Snowden, of 25 Summitwood Drive in Norwich, pleaded guilty on Feb. 23 to conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery and was sentenced Tuesday in the incident in which another man robbed a clerk at knife-point at the Bestway Food Mart.

Snowden and Patrick Mitiguy, 21, of Georgia, Vt., led Groton police on a chase after the robbery, at one point crashing through a fence and finally smashing into a guardrail. Snowden then ran away on foot, broke into a home and hid in the shower, according to statements made in court.

The arresting officer’s affidavit said the two were looking for money to buy drugs. Snowden did not rob the clerk himself, but handed Mitiguy a knife and said, “We’re going to need more money, go in and get some,” the affidavit said. The clerk was not injured.

Snowden told New London Superior Court Judge Patrick J.Clifford he was sorry for what he did and was grateful the victim wasn’t hurt. Snowden said he wanted a chance to change his life.

“I sat down in myself and I said, ‘This is it.’ I can’t go no further. . . I know deep down inside, God’s calling me,” he said.

His wife sat in the audience during the proceedings and cried. Their 17-month-old daughter ran around in the hallway before the sentencing, then was held by relatives and a pastor.

Clifford said Snowden had the potential to do good things with his life, but also had a criminal record including grand theft auto in South Carolina.

He said sentencing is not just about the defendant but “sending messages to other people and trying to deter other people.” Clifford sentenced Snowden to 10 years in jail, suspended after 4½ years served.

Snowden’s mother was in prison when he was born, and he bounced from foster home to foster growing up. He then developed a substance abuse problem and became involved in criminal behavior.