Two individuals were arrested at a Costco in South Windsor, Connecticut, on Sunday after allegedly attempting to use fraudulent credit cards to purchase merchandise. According to the South Windsor Police Department, 35-year-old Brittany A. Howard of the Bronx, New York, and 34-year-old Kasheem M. Williams of Brooklyn were taken into custody around 3 p.m. and currently face multiple felony charges.
Details of the Arrest
Police responded to the Costco location at 1220 Tamarack Ave following reports that two suspects were using stolen financial information at a self-checkout terminal. Authorities identified the pair as suspected serial shoplifters who had allegedly attempted a similar scheme at a different Costco location in Enfield earlier that day.
Upon searching the suspects’ vehicle, officers recovered 28 stolen financial documents, each bearing a different name, along with merchandise believed to have been taken from the Enfield store.
Legal Status and Charges
Both Howard and Williams were held on $250,000 surety bonds following their arrest. In addition to the charges stemming from the South Windsor incident, both individuals were found to have active, extraditable warrants in other states:
- Kasheem M. Williams: Wanted in Suffolk County, New York, on charges including burglary, strangulation, and assault.
- Brittany A. Howard: Wanted in Hudson County, New Jersey, on charges related to credit card theft.
The duo now faces a string of additional charges in Connecticut, including 28 counts of payment card theft, larceny, identity theft, and conspiracy. They were scheduled to appear in Manchester Superior Court on Monday morning to address the allegations.
Security Trends in Retail Theft
The incident highlights ongoing efforts by retailers and law enforcement to curb organized retail crime. While many major retailers have increased surveillance and loss prevention staffing, incidents involving the use of fraudulent credit cards and stolen identity documents remain a persistent challenge for warehouse-style stores.
According to the South Windsor Police Department, the quick identification of the suspects was aided by communication between store locations, which allowed staff to alert authorities as soon as the suspects arrived at the South Windsor warehouse. This coordination remains a primary defense for retailers attempting to intercept serial offenders who travel between jurisdictions to commit financial fraud.