Hartford Man Sentenced For 'Grab And Go' Thefts: Feds

HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford man has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for his role in a "grab and go" theft scheme, according to a statement from Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. Andres Barclett, aka "Coolie," 27, will also serve two years of supervised release for his role in what prosecutors called "an extensive commercial larceny spree."

A "grab-and-go" scheme is a type of theft where one or more people enter a retail store, grab as many items of clothing or other goods as they can carry, leave the store without paying for the merchandise, and depart in a waiting getaway vehicle.

Barclett was part of a group who 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, Sephora, and other stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York.

They then transported the stolen merchandise to Connecticut and sold the items on the internet or the street.

Barclett participated in at least 13 thefts resulting in losses of more than $50,000.

A judge also ordered Barclett to pay $19,968.85 in restitution.