Trumbull Man Charged In Diner Robbery

By Andrew Gorosko

A Trumbull man, accused in an armed robbery last fall at the Blue Colony Diner on Church Hill Road, has surrendered to police.

Police said Michael John Janssen, 38, of 653 Daniels Farm Road, Trumbull, turned himself in at the police station about 7:45 pm February 16 after learning that police had a warrant for his arrest.

Police charged Janssen with first-degree robbery, a Class B felony.

In the robbery, which occurred about 11:18 am last November 21, Janssen allegedly entered the diner through a kitchen door, placed a screwdriver-like device against a male employee’s body, and demanded money from the employee.

The diner employee, who is in his 40s, then gave Janssen less than $100, according to police.

Janssen then allegedly left the restaurant kitchen and went into the parking lot, as diner workers pursued him, but he was able to escape.

Janssen then allegedly drove away from the busy diner in a dark green, four-door sport-utility vehicle, possibly leaving the area via nearby Interstate 84.

Janssen allegedly wore a dark sweatshirt with a hood pulled over his head when he committed the crime, police said.

Armed robbery is a relatively rare crime locally, with only a few cases reported annually.

After processing the arrest charge, police released Janssen on a $50,000 bond, scheduling a March 1 Danbury Superior Court arraignment for him to answer the robbery charge.

Newtown police said they released Janssen to Fairfield police, who also had a warrant for his arrest on another charge.