BRIDGEPORT, CT — Two Bridgeport men have been indicted in the theft of $184,000 worth of merchandise during a smash-and-grab robbery at a Kay Jewelers store in Clinton earlier this year, federal prosecutors said.
Kelijah Richardson, 28, and Anibal Rivera, 27, both are charged with interference with commerce by robbery in the Feb. 3 theft, according to David X. Sullivan, U.S. attorney for the District of Connecticut.
Clinton police previously said the robbery occurred around 5:30 p.m. when two male suspects entered the store at Clinton Premium Outlets, smashed multiple jewelry display cases and fled with merchandise
No injuries were reported in the robbery. At the time, local police noted that the suspects did not display any firearms.
Sullivan said the indictment was returned on March 18. He said Richardson was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on March 9 before being released on a $250,000 bond. He said Richardson appeared in Bridgeport federal court Friday and pleaded not guilty.
Sullivan said Rivera has been detained since he was arrested on a state warrant on Feb. 3 in connection with an alleged Sept. 17 robbery of $259,000 in jewelry from a location in the Buckland Hills Mall in Manchester.
Sullivan said the Clinton break-in took place amid a series of at least other 20 robberies and burglaries, and attempted robberies and burglaries, of jewelry stores and kiosks in Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts between September and February.
“In each instance, the suspects, wearing dark clothing, masks, and gloves, entered the jewelry stores and kiosks, used hammers or other tools to break jewelry showcases, and stole jewelry,” Sullivan said. “They then fled in vehicles that had no license plates or stolen or obstructed license plates.”
Sullivan said the robberies have been under investigation by the FBI New Haven Violent Crimes Task Force along with state and local law enforcement agencies. He noted the two men face up to 20 years in prison, if convicted.]
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