Five Men Charged with Kidnapping Meriden Residents, Robbing Fairfield Jewelry Store

Deirdre M. Daly, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Joseph P. Faughnan, United States Marshal for the District of Connecticut; Kimberly K. Mertz, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Fairfield Police Chief Gary MacNamara; and Meriden Police Chief Jeffry Cossette today announced that five individuals have been charged by federal criminal complaint for their participation in the kidnapping of four Meriden residents and the robbery of a Fairfield jewelry store on April 11, 2013.

“We applaud the excellent work of the investigative agencies, the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI, and the Fairfield and Meriden Police Departments, who are responsible for these swift arrests,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Daly. “Our office thanks them for their professionalism and dynamic work in this difficult and important investigation.”

“This is an outstanding example of the positive results that occur when investigative agencies from all levels of government and jurisdictions work together for a common goal,” stated U.S. Marshal Faughnan. “Fortunately, these individuals were arrested before committing similar crimes that place the lives of innocent persons at risk.”

“Today’s arrests are yet another example of how dedicated and talented investigators from multiple agencies worked together to quickly identify and apprehend those responsible for violent crimes,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Mertz. “This investigation will continue until there is justice for the victims.”

“This is a great example of Connecticut law enforcement working together,” stated Fairfield Police Chief MacNamara. “I want to thank the Fairfield and Meriden officers and detectives, as well as the U.S. Marshals in Connecticut, the Connecticut FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. These individuals tried to exploit our jurisdictional boundaries and this group of law enforcement proved those boundaries are just lines on a map.”

As alleged in criminal complaints that were unsealed today, at approximately 9:00 p.m. on April 11, at least four men wearing masks and gloves, two of whom were armed with handguns, broke into an apartment on Gravel Street in Meriden, Connecticut; bound four victims with duct tape; and covered their heads with pillowcases, towels, and jackets. Three of the perpetrators then forced two of the victims into a victim’s vehicle and drove to Lenox Jewelers in Fairfield, Connecticut, where the two victims worked. At the store, the perpetrators stole jewelry, watches, and loose diamonds valued at between four and five million dollars. They then fled in the victim’s car, leaving the two victims bound inside the store.

The following five individuals are charged with federal kidnapping, robbery and firearms offenses:

Timothy Forbes, 31, of Allentown, Pennsylvania

William Davis, 25, of Allentown, Pennsylvania

Jeffrey Houston, 26, of Allentown, Pennsylvania

Christopher Gay, 27, of Bronx, New YOrk

Kasam Hennix, 39, of Easton, Pennsylvania

Forbes has been in custody in Pennsylvania since his arrest on state charges earlier this month.

Davis, Houston, Gay, and Hennix were arrested yesterday. A search of Davis’ residence resulted in the seizure of jewelry, high-end watches and approximately $60,000 in cash. A search of Gay’s Bronx hotel room led to the seizure of more jewelry, watches, and approximately $50,000 in cash.

Houston and Gay appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and were ordered detained. Davis and Hennix appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry S. Perkin in Allentown and are also detained.

Each of the defendants is charged with kidnapping, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; Hobbs Act Robbery, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, which carries a consecutive term of imprisonment of at least five years.

Acting U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to have this matter presented to a grand jury and, in the event an indictment is returned, he is entitled to a trial at which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the United States Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fairfield Police Department, and Meriden Police Department. Acting U.S. Attorney Daly also acknowledged the assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service and FBI in New York and Pennsylvania; the York, Allentown, and Bethlehem Police Departments in Pennsylvania; and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tracy Lee Dayton and Douglas P. Morabito.