The investigation into a bank robbery scheme continues, as police officers of Bristol and New Britain are still searching for the two suspects involved.
To date, both the New Britain Police Department and the Bristol Police Department have formed a task force, which will receive assistance from the FBI and state police for the investigation, according to a press release from the task force.
On Monday, the Bristol Police Department received a call from an official of the Achieve Credit Financial Union who reported one of their employees, 46-year-old Matthew Yussman, was currently being forced to wear an explosive device as a way to obtain money from the credit union, the release said.
Officers discovered that the event began in the early morning hours Monday when two men confronted Yussman when he arrived at his home, located at 133 Lufkin Lane in Bristol, said the release. The victim and his mother were bound and held in the home overnight, according to the release. Yussman was then sent out to the credit union with a device strapped to his body, the release said.
That same day, the mayor’s Facebook page reported a lockdown at both Northeast Middle School and Ivy Drive School (which are located near Lufkin Road) for a precautionary measure. The lockdown was later lifted as it was reported that all students and staff were safe in the building.
Based on statements from the suspects and the appearance of the device, Yussman believed it to be an explosive device, the release said. When Yussman arrived at the New Britain branch of the Achieve Financial Credit Union, he contacted the credit union official who eventually contacted police, according to the release.
That device was eventually rendered safe by the Connecticut State Police Bomb Squad and was turned over to the FBI for laboratory analysis, the release said. While the device was removed, Yussman received treatment for exposure after being in the unheated car, but did not have any other injuries, the release said. His mother was not hurt.
New Britain Police seized the car Yussman drove to New Britain, and the car will be processed for evidence by detectives pursuant to the search warrant, the release said. Late Monday night the Bristol Police Department issued a search warrant at Lufkin Lane to identify and collect any relevant evidence of the incident, according to the release.
Anyone with information relating to these events is asked to contact
New Britain Police Department at (860) 826-3131, or the Tip Line at (860) 826-3199, or online at newbritainpolice.org, and the Bristol Police Department at (860) 314-4570.