Police: Arrests made after confidential informant is punched, robbed

New London — Three people were arrested Wednesday after police said they attempted to buy an illegal firearm from a confidential informant.

Cassidy R. Shoaf, 22, of 10 King Arthur Drive, Apt. 146, Niantic, and Ramael I. Artis, 31, of 55 Eastern Ave. each were charged with third-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, third-degree robbery and sixth-degree larceny.

Joshua Fine, 21, of 40 Crystal Ave., Apt. A33, was charged with third-degree assault, fifth-degree larceny, third-degree robbery and third-degree conspiracy to commit robbery.

Detectives, in an effort to remove illegal handguns from city streets, arranged the purchase of the weapon through a confidential informant.

While conducting the sale of the firearm to the confidential informant, Artis, also known as “Bushwhack Bill,” and Fine punched the informant in the face and robbed him of the marked funds that were being used to purchase the handgun, police said.

Shoaf was arrested as an accomplice for her involvement with the robbery, police said.

Artis was in possession of all the marked funds, police said.

i.larraneta@theday.com