Two alleged shoplifters were taken into custody at a Costco on Sunday after authorities said they tried to use fake credit cards to walk out with merchandise.
The case unfolded at about 3 p.m. in South Windsor, Connecticut, according to a Monday statement from the South Windsor Police Department (SWPD).
Investigators described the pair as suspected repeat Costco shoplifters and identified them as Brittany A. Howard, 35, of the Bronx, New York, and Kasheem M. Williams, 34, of Brooklyn.
“Officers responded to Costco (1220 Tamarack Ave) for reports of two shoplifters actively stealing from the store and attempting to pay at the self-checkout with fraudulent credit cards,” SWPD said.
Authorities said employees had already been alerted that the same individuals were suspected of trying a comparable scheme at a Costco in Enfield, about 30 minutes north of South Windsor.
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When officers searched the suspects’ vehicle, they found 28 stolen financial documents bearing different names, as well as merchandise believed to have been taken from the Enfield Costco, police said.
Following their arrests, police said both suspects were also discovered to have active warrants from outside Connecticut.
Williams was wanted on an extraditable warrant from Suffolk County, New York, in connection with several charges, including burglary, strangulation and assault.
Howard was found to have an extraditable warrant out of Hudson County, New Jersey, on credit card theft charges.
Both suspects now face additional charges, including 28 counts of payment card theft, larceny, identity theft and conspiracy.
Police said the pair were held on $250,000 surety bonds and were scheduled to appear in Manchester Superior Court Monday morning.
