Four Arrested in Hotel Room Assault and Robbery

A woman was allegedly assaulted and robbed in her Meriden hotel room by a group of young men she knew Monday – one of whom she said punched her in the face and brandished what police believe is a pellet gun, according to Meriden Police.

Police received a 911 call at about 6:40 p.m. Monday from a woman staying at the Candlewood Suites Hotel on East Main Street, who said she'd been robbed, according to Meriden Police Spokesman Det. Lt. Mark Walerysiak.

The woman said four young men – including two minors – who were "hanging out in her room" had beaten her and taken her cell phone, an iPod and other electronics, along with an unknown amount of Xanax, a prescription anxiety medication she had on her. 

She reportedly knew three of the assailants in the room. One of them, the woman said, punched her in the face and brandished a firearm, which police say may have been a pellet or "BB" gun.

The young men left in a car together, Walerysiak said. Police located all four of the suspects at the house of one of the men, 23-year-old Jason Jones, at 57 Fawn Drive, and found the items they had taken.

Police arrested all four, but released only the names of two of the alleged assailants because the other two are under 18.

Police have charged Jamal Santiago, 22, with First Degree Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Robbery, Fourth Degree Larceny, Possession of Narcotics and Third Degree Assault, and held him on $75,000 bond. 

They have also charged Jones with First Degree Robbery, Fourth Degree Larceny, Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Robbery, Possession of Narcotics and Third Degree Assault, Brandishing of Facsimile Firearm, Possession of Narcotics, Possession of Marijuana, Operation of a Drug Factory. Jones is being held on $100,000 bond.
                                              
Both men are due in court on Feb. 3, 2012.