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New Haven man gets 29 years for pandemic robbery spree around Connecticut.NEW HAVEN — A New Haven man convicted of committing a series of armed robberies at gas stations across Connecticut during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic was sentenced to 29 years in prison Tuesday, federal prosecutors said.William Rosario Lopez, 40, was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release during a hearing in New Haven federal court, according to a news release from David X.Sullivan, U.S.attorney for the District of Connecticut.Advertisement Article continues below this ad The sentence was handed down more than a year after a jury found Rosario Lopez guilty of four counts of obstruction of interstate commerce by robbery (also known as Hobbs Act Robbery), four counts of brandishing a firearm during a robbery, attempted obstruction of interstate commerce by robbery and possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.Sullivan said the first robbery took place on March 18, 2020, when Rosario Lopez entered a Shell gas station on Hartford Turnpike in Vernon while wearing a black mask.He said the defendant pointed a small silver pistol at the store employee, grabbed him by the collar, directed him to walk to the cash register and struck him in the back of the head.“After the employee provided Rosario Lopez with cash from the register, Rosario Lopez ordered the employee to lay on the floor and then fled the store,” Sullivan said.Advertisement Article continues below this ad Want more New Haven Register?Sullivan said Rosario Lopez then robbed the Fleet gas station on Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike in Southington and the Shell gas station on Hamilton Avenue in Waterbury about an hour apart on March 22.He said Rosario Lopez pointed a small silver pistol at employees at each location, and kicked one of the workers after they said they did not know the combination to a safe.The fourth robbery occurred on March 26 when Rosario Lopez entered the Citgo gas station on West Main Street in New Britain.He said Rosario Lopez waited for another customer to leave the store, approached the counter, pointed a small silver pistol at the store employee and demanded money, Sullivan said.“The employee opened the cash register and Rosario Lopez took cash from the register drawer,” Sullivan said.“Rosario then fled the store.” Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sullivan said Rosario Lopez was arrested a couple weeks after the fourth robbery on April 9 and has been detained ever since.He said law enforcement searched a vehicle he used during the robberies and recovered a silver .25-caliber semiautomatic pistol and 14 rounds of ammunition.Sullivan noted that Rosario Lopez’s criminal history includes convictions in New York for attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon, and convictions in Puerto Rico for importation and unlawful possession of a firearm, false imprisonment, aggravated assault with a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, threatening a witness and aggravated robbery.