Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRIAN MOORE, 26, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport for his role in a smash-and-grab robbery of a Stamford jewelry store in November 2014.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 26, 2014, three of MOORE’s accomplices, armed with hammers, entered Sidney Thomas Jewelers, located in the Stamford Town Center Mall, during regular business hours. Soon after entering, the accomplices used the hammers to smash open a jewelry display case and removed more than $250,000 worth of Rolex watches. The three accomplices then fled with security guards in pursuit. One of MOORE’s accomplices, Richard Mathew Bailey, was caught and apprehended inside the mall while fleeing.

In pleading guilty, MOORE admitted that he helped organize and carry out the robbery by soliciting others to participate and partially funding it. He also admitted that he drove accomplices from Detroit to Stamford to carry out the robbery, and picked them up after the robbery in order to return to Detroit.

MOORE pleaded guilty to one count of interfering with commerce by robbery, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. A sentencing date has not been scheduled. MOORE is released on a $250,000 bond.

On March 12, 2015, Bailey, also from Detroit, pleaded guilty to the same charge. He awaits sentencing.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Stamford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel J. Vidoni.