Federal Sentence Rendered For Theft Frenzy At CT Retail Stores

CONNECTICUT — A Hartford woman has been sentenced in a federal case involving a larceny spree at some of Connecticut's most popular stores.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, said that 28-year-old Paige James, also known as "Ishaya James," was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 18 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for participating in the "extensive commercial larceny spree."

Boyle said the case stems from "Operation American Steal," a long-term multi-agency investigation into numerous "grab and go" thefts at various retail fashion stores in Connecticut and nearby states.

A grab-and-go scheme involves one or more people entering a retail store, taking as many items of clothing or other goods as they can carry then leave the store without paying for the merchandise and fleeing in a waiting getaway vehicle, Boyle said.

Case records show that James was part of a network that, in 2019 and 2020, committed more than 50 grab and go thefts from 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.

The network then transported the stolen merchandise to Connecticut and sold the items on the internet or the street, according to case records.

James participated in at least 28 thefts resulting in losses of more than $90,000, Boyle said. Restitution will be determined after additional court proceedings, he added.

On Sept. 15 of last year, a grand jury returned a six-count indictment charging James and seven other individuals. James was arrested in Georgia on Oct. 20, 2021. On May 14, she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport and possess stolen property.

James has been detained since her arrest.