Police say an armed robbery occurred near Franklin Plaza at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.

They say a mother and her child were accosted in a parking lot by a masked suspect who threatened the woman with a gun before taking her purse.

The assailant fled the scene in a stolen black Mazda CX-5 SUV with multiple occupants. Detectives believe these individuals may also be linked to similar incidents in Darien, Meriden and Wallingford, where they allegedly collided with a police cruiser.

Fortunately, the mother and child escaped unharmed. 

Torrington Police are urging anyone with information to contact the Torrington Police Detective Division at 860- 489–2000.