NEWPUTNAM, Conn. YORK – State police arrested two suspects Tuesday in the shooting of a Massachusetts man during an attempted robbery of a group of people waiting to buy new PlayStation 3 videogame consoles in Putnam earlier this month.
William J. Robertson, 20, of Woodstock, and Andrew Patnaude, 17, of Putnam were charged with attempted murder, robbery, assault and other crimes after a judge signed off on arrest warrants Monday.
Robertson and Patnaude were being held on $1 million bonds. Robertson was to be arraigned Tuesday in Danielson Superior Court, while Patnaude was to appear in the same court on Wednesday. Robertson was arrested at about 3:45 a.m. and Patnaude at about 10:30 a.m.
Michael Penkala, 21, of Webster, Mass., was shot outside the Putnam Wal-Mart shortly after 3 a.m. on Nov. 17 after he confronted two gunmen who were robbing a group of 15 to 20 people waiting to buy PlayStation 3 consoles on the first day they went on sale, state police said. The incident was one of several violent acts reported across the country related to sales of the videogame systems.
Penkala said he dialed 911 on his cell phone when he saw two men wearing bandanas over their faces and carrying guns. The thieves ordered everyone in line to throw possessions and cash on the ground or put them into two bags the gunmen held.
Penkala held onto a wallet in his pocket that held more than $2,500 in cash. He refused to give up his money and was shot.
Penkala is still recovering from his injuries.
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