Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on July 28, 2015, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging ALIONIS PEREZ, 39, a citizen of Cuba last residing in New Jersey, and YOANDRYS CUE, 29, a citizen of Cuba last residing in Florida, with engaging in a conspiracy to burglarize outlet stores in six states between August and November 2013.

As alleged in the indictment:

On August 2, 2013, PEREZ, CUE and others traveled from New Jersey to Connecticut. On August 3, 2013, PEREZ and CUE broke into the Fossil store located in Clinton, Connecticut, disabled the alarm system and stole more than $5,000 in property. Following the burglary, PEREZ, CUE and others returned to New Jersey with the stolen merchandise.

On August 18, 2013, PEREZ and others attempted to break into the Movado store located in Kittery, Maine.

On September 19, 2013, PEREZ and CUE broke into the Fossil store located in Miramar Beach, Florida, and stole more than $5,000 in watches.

On October 4, 2013, PEREZ and CUE broke into the Fossil store located in Hagerstown, Maryland, and stole more than $5,000 in watches.

On October 24, 2013, PEREZ and CUE broke into the Fossil store located in Grove City, Pennsylvania, and stole more than $5,000 in watches.

On November 22, 2013, PEREZ, CUE and others traveled from New Jersey to Massachusetts and stole a van. On November 23, 2013, PEREZ, CUE and another individual broke into the Michael Kors store in Lee, Massachusetts, disabled the alarm system and stole more than $5,000 in watches and bags. The conspirators then traveled from Massachusetts, disposed of the stolen van in Staten Island, New York, and returned to New Jersey with the stolen merchandise.

The indictment charges PEREZ and CUE with one count of conspiracy, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000, and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

PEREZ has been detained in federal custody since August 2014 after his arrest in Tennessee on a separate charge of interstate transportation of stolen property.

CUE is currently incarcerated in New Jersey.

U.S. Attorney Daly 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 ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Clinton (Conn.) Police Department, Kittery (Maine) Police Department, Walton County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office, Washington County (Md.) Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, Lee (Mass.) Police Department and Berkshire County (Mass.) Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan and Heather Cherry.

This matter is assigned to U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford.