Branford Man Charged in Large-Scale Fencing Operations: Feds

Five men with ties to New Haven, Branford, East Haven, Stratford, North Haven, and Durham were arrested Friday on federal charges related to two separate, large-scale fencing operations in the New Haven area, federal authorities announced in a news release.

On June 23 a grand jury returned an indictment charging George J. Connelly Jr., 45, of New Haven, Paul William Muzkya, 46, of North Haven and William Reidell, 40, of Branford with one count of conspiracy and multiple counts of interstate transportation of stolen property.

On July 7 a grand jury returned an indictment charging Andrew Sacco, 43, of East Haven and formerly of Durham, and Matthew Harwood, 42, of Stratford and formerly of Durham, with one count of conspiracy and multiple counts of interstate transportation of stolen property.

Both indictments were unsealed today, after the suspects were arrested. They each appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford and all were released on $100,000 bonds.

The first indictment alleges that Connelly and Muzkya operated a licensed secondhand store, Ace Amusements, located at 42 Kimberly Avenue in New Haven.

Connelly and Muzkya are alleged to have knowingly purchased stolen property from “boosters,” who typically were shoplifters with opioid addictions, federal authorities said.

The boosters stole the goods from retail stores such as Walmart, Home Depot and Kohl’s, according to a news release.

Connelly and Muzkya then resold the stolen goods at Ace Amusements and online at websites such as eBay and Amazon, officials said.

Connelly and Muzkya also sold property to resellers, including Reidell, who then resold the property online using online websites, according to federal authorities.

The second indictment alleges that Sacco and Harwood knowingly purchased stolen property from boosters and then resold the property at online websites, including, eBay and Amazon, usually in the names of family members and associates, the statement reads.

Sacco and Harwood are alleged to have rented cars for boosters for trips to steal items for them.

Sacco and Harwood met with boosters to purchase the stolen property at various locations, including at MVP Auto, an auto body shop located at 23 Bernhard Road in North Haven, according to the statement.

The charge of interstate transport of stolen property carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and the charge of conspiracy carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.