Indictment Charges 8 Hartford County Residents for Roles in Northeast Burglary Spree

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that, on September 15, 2020, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned a six-count indictment charging the following individuals with offenses related to their involvement in an extensive commercial burglary spree:

PAIGE JAMES, also known as “Ishaya James,” 27, of Hartford
JAHLIIL PARROTT, also known as “Stretch,” 23, of Windsor
ANDRES BARCLETT, also known as “Coolie,” 26, of Hartford
AYSIA RYAN, 21, of Windsor
WILLIAM TISDOL, 20, of Hartford
JORDAN BRAITHWAITE, 23, of New Britain
JEZENIA MILLER, 21, of Hartford
TASHANIQUE BLIZZARD, 25, of Hartford

The indictment stems from “Operation American Steal,” a long-term multi-agency investigation into numerous “grab and go” thefts from various retail fashion stores in Connecticut and nearby states.  A “grab-and-go” scheme is a type of theft where one or more perpetrators enter a retail store, grab as many items of clothing or other goods as they can carry, leave the store without paying for the merchandise, and depart in a waiting getaway vehicle.

The indictment alleges that the eight defendants were part of a network of individuals who burglarized Polo Ralph Lauren, T.J. Maxx, Balenciaga, Burberry, Macy’s, Marshalls, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Tommy Hilfiger and other stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York.  They then transported the stolen merchandise to Connecticut and sold the items on the internet or the street.

The indictment charges each of the defendants with one count of conspiracy to transport and possess stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  In addition, James, Parrott, Barclett, Braithwaite and Blizzard are each charged with one or more counts of interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count.

Blizzard, Braithwaite, Miller and Tisdol have been arrested, and James, Parrott, Barclett, and Ryan are being sought by law enforcement.

Citizens with knowledge of the whereabouts of James, Parrott, Barclett and Ryan, or with information that may be helpful the investigation of this matter, are encouraged to call the FBI at 203-996-4132 or 860-993-5499. 

U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hartford, New Canaan, Wrentham (Mass.), Auburn (Mass.) and Nassau County (N.Y.) Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Donovan and Brendan Keefe.