Connecticut gas station clerk ‘staged’ $8K robbery with accomplices, cops say

A gas station clerk in Connecticut “staged” a robbery with help from two suspects in an inside job that netted more than $8,000, police said.

Jamie Darouse, 31, was arrested Wednesday in the May 24 robbery she reported while working at a Citgo gas station in Milford, police said in a statement Thursday.

Darouse told cops a male suspect barged into the gas station while wearing sunglasses, a hat and a face mask and gave her a demand note indicating that he had a loaded gun, police said.

Darouse, of West Haven, complied with the suspect’s command, turning over “all the money” inside a register, as well as deposited cash, totaling more than $8,000. The robber then hopped into the passenger seat of an awaiting car that drove off, Darouse told cops.

But a subsequent investigation revealed that Darouse coordinated with a 19-year-old man, Khari Ruffin, of Waterbury, in the robbery, along with a third suspect who acted as a getaway driver at the gas station, police said.

Ruffin, who allegedly acted as the purported robber, turned himself into Milford police on Aug. 13 on charges of third-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit third-degree larceny. He has been released from custody after posting $20,000 bond, police said.

Darouse, who had a court appearance set for last Thursday, is facing the same charges as Ruffin, as well as falsely reporting an incident and making a false statement to cops. She had been ordered held on $100,000 bond and it’s unclear if she’s hired an attorney who could speak on her behalf.

Milford police said Thursday that they were still seeking the alleged getaway driver. A message seeking additional comment from cops was not immediately returned Monday.