A former New Haven firefighter and his wife are accused of staging an armed robbery in West Haven to support an insurance claim for expensive jewelry.
Reginald Blakey, 46, and Eunice Blakey, 47, of Washingtonville, New York, each face charges of insurance fraud and conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny, according to The New Haven Register.
They were arrested May 21 after a monthslong West Haven police investigation.
The Blakeys have not entered pleas and were released on $15,000 surety bonds, according to the report.
The Case Began With a Reported Robbery Outside a Store
Police say a former New Haven firefighter and his wife staged a West Haven robbery to collect insurance money for jewelry. https://t.co/yxlDFYZ5sm
— New Haven Register (@nhregister) July 11, 2026
Eunice Blakey called 911 shortly before 11 p.m. on Dec. 16, 2025, and said she had been robbed at gunpoint while sitting in her Chevrolet Malibu outside an Elm Street convenience store, according to the arrest warrant described by The New Haven Register.
She told police that a masked man got into the vehicle, displayed a handgun, demanded her jewelry, and fled in a silver or gray car.
The jewelry she reported stolen included a diamond engagement ring, wedding band, earrings, a necklace, and a Rolex watch. The items were later valued at about $73,700, according to the warrant.
Police Reviewed Surveillance From Nearby Businesses
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the convenience store, a nearby gas station, and a McDonald’s restaurant.
Police said the video showed a gray early 2000s Nissan Maxima following Eunice Blakey for nearly an hour before the reported robbery. The vehicle allegedly stayed nearby when she went into businesses and followed her again when she drove away.
Investigators later traced the Nissan to Reginald Blakey’s sister, who told police that he had borrowed the car around the time of the incident and left her a Mercedes-Benz to use.
Traffic cameras also showed the Nissan had distinctive paint damage on the rear bumper, according to the warrant.
Investigators Cited Conflicts in the Robbery Account
Police said the investigation found inconsistencies in the couple’s statements.
One point cited in the warrant was that the robber allegedly took only the jewelry, not Eunice Blakey’s cellphone or cash. Eunice Blakey told police she did not have cash with her, but investigators said surveillance from that night showed her paying for items with cash.
Police also said Reginald Blakey gave conflicting explanations about where he was on the night of the reported robbery and about meetings he claimed to have attended at a former New Haven firehouse.
The Insurance Claim Came After a Coverage Increase
Police later learned from State Farm that the Blakeys had increased insurance coverage on several pieces of jewelry weeks before the reported robbery.
After the incident, they filed a claim seeking about $70,700 for the missing items.
Investigators also found previous stolen-jewelry insurance claims involving Reginald Blakey that had resulted in payouts, according to the warrant. Those claim records became part of the broader inquiry into whether the December robbery report was legitimate.
The Couple Was Arrested After a Monthslong Investigation
West Haven police arrested Reginald and Eunice Blakey on May 21 following the investigation into the December robbery report.
The earlier police announcement said detectives determined the robbery had been staged after reviewing the couple’s statements and other evidence.
Both defendants are charged with insurance fraud and conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny. The case is pending in state Superior Court in Milford, and the report said neither had entered a plea.
Jewelry Claims Depend on More Than Appraisals
Insurers and investigators may review the timing of coverage changes, appraisals, prior claims, surveillance footage, police reports, phone records, receipts, travel patterns, witness statements, and inconsistencies in how a reported theft unfolded.
Policyholders with high-value jewelry should keep clear records before any loss occurs, including appraisals, receipts, photos, serial numbers, repair records, insurance schedules, and proof of ownership.
Anyone reporting a real theft should give police and the insurer accurate details about where the items were, when they were last seen, who had access to them, and what other property was or was not taken.
Suspected insurance fraud can be reported to the insurer’s fraud unit, local law enforcement, or the state insurance department.