Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment today charging DERRICK WHITE, also known as “Fly,” 51, of Hamden, MALCOLM HAYNES, also known as “Black,” 25, of New Haven, and HOWARD BOOKERT, 18, of Hamden, with one count of armed robbery of a postal employee. The indictment also charges WHITE and HAYNES with one count of armed bank robbery.
The indictment alleges that, on April 21, 2016, WHITE, HAYNES, and BOOKERT entered the U.S. Post Office located at 75 Farwell Avenue in West Haven, stole money and other government property, and put the life of a postal employee and others in jeopardy by the use of a dangerous weapon.
The indictment further alleges that, on April 21, 2016, WHITE, HAYNES, and another person known to the grand jury used force, violence and intimidation to rob $9,287 from a branch of Wells Fargo Bank located at 1647 Whitney Avenue in Hamden, putting in jeopardy the life of a person by the use of a dangerous weapon.
WHITE and BOOKERT have been detained since April 21, 2016, when they were apprehended in New Haven and arrested on related state charges. HAYNES has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on May 23, 2016.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum term of imprisonment of 25 years and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count.
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the West Haven Police Department, Hamden Police Department, New Haven Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.